Many Chemistries Could Be Used to Build Living Systems
Abstract
It has been widely suggested that life based around carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen is the only plausible biochemistry, and specifically that terrestrial biochemistry of nucleic acids, proteins, and sugars is likely to be "universal." This is not an inevitable conclusion from our knowledge of chemistry. I argue that it is the nature of the liquid in which life evolves that defines the most appropriate chemistry. Fluids other than water could be abundant on a cosmic scale and could therefore be an environment in which non-terrestrial biochemistry could evolve. The chemical nature of these liquids could lead to quite different biochemistries, a hypothesis discussed in the context of the proposed "ammonochemistry" of the internal oceans of the Galilean satellites and a more speculative "silicon biochemistry" in liquid nitrogen. These different chemistries satisfy the thermodynamic drive for life through different mechanisms, and so will have different chemical signatures than terrestrial biochemistry.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Silicon can match carbon in terms of chemical flexibility and functionality, albeit not by using the same chemistry to achieve the same goal.
“Therefore, silicon can match carbon in terms of chemical flexibility and functionality, albeit not by using the same chemistry to achieve the same goal (Bains, 2004).”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Bains, 2004
Silicon-based life has been proposed as a potential alternative to carbon-based life because silicon has several chemical properties similar to carbon.
“Silicon-based life has been proposed as a potential alternative to carbon-based life because silicon has several chemical properties similar to carbon.”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Bains, 2004
Silicon is in the same group in the periodic table as carbon and can form stable polymers with itself (silanes), with carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen (silicones), and with many metals.
“Silicon is part of the same group in the periodic table (column 14) and, like carbon, is able to form stable polymers with itself (silanes); with carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen (silicones); as well as with many metals (Bains, 2004).”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Bains, 2004
Silicon polymers can become large enough to form large molecular backbones and ring structures analogous to those in the molecules that encode information in known organisms.
“Silicon polymers can become large enough to form large molecular backbones and ring structures analogous to those in the molecules that encode information in known organisms.”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Bains, 2004
Liquid ammonia shows some striking chemical similarities with water, with the added advantage of dissolving most organics as well as, or better than, water.
“Liquid ammonia shows some striking chemical similarities with water, with the added advantage of dissolving most organics as well as, or better than, water (Bains, 2004).”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Bains, 2004
In cold methane oceans, the greater reactivity of silicon-based chemicals could be an advantage, enabling living processes to occur.
“In such environments, the greater reactivity of silicon-based chemicals could be an advantage, enabling living processes to occur (Bains, 2004).”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Bains, 2004
Alternative solvents to water include sulfuric acid, ammonia, methane, ethane, and nitrogen, each of which would be stable at the surface for different star-planet orbiting distances.
“Alternative solvents include sulfuric acid, ammonia, methane, ethane, nitrogen, each of which would be stable at the surface for different star-planet orbiting distances.”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Bains, 2004
Other, less abundant solvents that have been considered as potentially life-supporting include methyl alcohol, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen cyanide, and hydrogen chloride.
“Other, less abundant solvents that have been considered as potentially life-supporting include methyl alcohol, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen cyanide, and hydrogen chloride (Bains, 2004).”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Bains, 2004
Other solvents suggested for extreme cold environments include dinitrogen (N2) and supercritical dihydrogen-helium mixtures.
“Other solvents suggested for extreme cold environments include dinitrogen (N2) and supercritical dihydrogen-helium mixtures (Bains, 2004; Benner et al., 2004).”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Bains, 2004
Cites
Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome
International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, C. F. G. R., Lander, E. S., Linton, L. M., Birren, B., Nusbaum, C., Zody, M. C., Baldwin, J., Devon, K., Dewar, K., et al. (2001) · Nature · doi:10.1038/35057062 · Cited by 24,216 · see citing works
Whitesides, G. M., & Grzybowski, B. A. (2002) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1070821 · Cited by 7,457 · see citing works
The Chemistry of Organic Silicon Compounds
(1989) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/0470025107 · Cited by 2,741 · see citing works
Habitable Zones around Main Sequence Stars
Kasting, J. F., Whitmire, D. P., & Reynolds, R. T. (1993) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.1993.1010 · Cited by 2,501 · see citing works
Improving enzymes by using them in organic solvents
Klibanov, A. M. (2001) · Nature · doi:10.1038/35051719 · Cited by 2,152 · see citing works
Cotton, F. A., Wilkinson, G., & Gaus, P. L. (1978) · Journal of Molecular Structure · doi:10.1016/0022-2860(78)87123-3 · Cited by 2,018 · see citing works
Silicon in organic, organometallic, and polymer chemistry
(2001) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.38-4470 · Cited by 1,546 · see citing works
Carr, M. H. (1996) · Cited by 866 · see citing works
Bond dissociation energy values in silicon-containing compounds and some of their implications
Walsh, R. (1981) · Accounts of Chemical Research · doi:10.1021/ar00068a004 · Cited by 848 · see citing works
The emergence of life from iron monosulphide bubbles at a submarine hydrothermal redox and pH front
RUSSELL, M. J., & HALL, A. J. (1997) · Journal of the Geological Society · doi:10.1144/gsjgs.154.3.0377 · Cited by 822 · see citing works
Catalytic promiscuity and the evolution of new enzymatic activities
O’Brien, P., & Herschlag, D. (1999) · Chemistry & Biology · doi:10.1016/s1074-5521(99)80033-7 · Cited by 731 · see citing works
Runaway and moist greenhouse atmospheres and the evolution of Earth and Venus
Kasting, J. F. (1988) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/0019-1035(88)90116-9 · Cited by 709 · see citing works
Carbon dioxide cycling and implications for climate on ancient Earth
Sleep, N. H., & Zahnle, K. (2001) · Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets · doi:10.1029/2000je001247 · Cited by 592 · see citing works
An Archaeal Iron-Oxidizing Extreme Acidophile Important in Acid Mine Drainage
Edwards, K. J., Bond, P. L., Gihring, T. M., & Banfield, J. F. (2000) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.287.5459.1796 · Cited by 567 · see citing works
Interiors of Giant Planets Inside and Outside the Solar System
Guillot, T. (1999) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.286.5437.72 · Cited by 567 · see citing works
Neoproterozoic ‘snowball Earth’ simulations with a coupled climate/ice-sheet model
Hyde, W. T., Crowley, T. J., Baum, S. K., & Peltier, W. R. (2000) · Nature · doi:10.1038/35013005 · Cited by 495 · see citing works
Solubility of Polymers and Copolymers in Supercritical CO 2
Rindfleisch, F., DiNoia, T. P., & McHugh, M. A. (1996) · The Journal of Physical Chemistry · doi:10.1021/jp9615823 · Cited by 449 · see citing works
Protein folding dynamics: The diffusion‐collision model and experimental data
Karplus, M., & Weaver, D. L. (1994) · Protein Science · doi:10.1002/pro.5560030413 · Cited by 447 · see citing works
Mitchell, P. D. (1976) · Biochemical Society Transactions · doi:10.1042/bst0040399 · Cited by 441 · see citing works
Photochemistry of Planetary Atmospheres
Yung, Y. L., & DeMore, W. B. (1999) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780195105018.001.0001 · Cited by 436 · see citing works
McCollom, T. M., & Seewald, J. S. (2001) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/s0016-7037(01)00655-x · Cited by 432 · see citing works
Activation of the Si-Si Bond by Transition Metal Complexes
Sharma, H. K., & Pannell, K. H. (1995) · Chemical Reviews · doi:10.1021/cr00037a010 · Cited by 419 · see citing works
Hagen, S. J., Hofrichter, J., Szabó, A., & Eaton, W. A. (1996) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.93.21.11615 · Cited by 400 · see citing works
The universal nature of biochemistry
Pace, N. R. (2001) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.98.3.805 · Cited by 352 · see citing works
The Synthesis and Structure of Organosilanols
Lickiss, P. D. (1995) · Advances in inorganic chemistry · doi:10.1016/s0898-8838(08)60053-7 · Cited by 344 · see citing works
Theory of planetary atmospheres
Chamberlain, J. W., & Hunten, D. M. (1978) · Cited by 343 · see citing works
Structure and mechanism of the evolutionarily unique plant enzyme chalcone isomerase.
Noel, J. P., Jez, J. M., Bowman, M. E., & Dixon, R. A. (2000) · Nature Structural Biology · doi:10.1038/79025 · Cited by 335 · see citing works
Role of solvents in the control of enzyme selectivity in organic media
Carrea, G., Ottolina, G., & Riva, S. (1995) · Trends in biotechnology · doi:10.1016/s0167-7799(00)88907-6 · Cited by 320 · see citing works
Habitable zones about main sequence stars
Hart, M. H. (1979) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/0019-1035(79)90141-6 · Cited by 314 · see citing works
Bond, P. L., Druschel, G. K., & Banfield, J. F. (2000) · Applied and Environmental Microbiology · doi:10.1128/aem.66.11.4962-4971.2000 · Cited by 312 · see citing works
Possible ecosystems and the search for life on Europa
Chyba, C. F., & Phillips, C. B. (2001) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.98.3.801 · Cited by 309 · see citing works
Solid acids and their use as environmentally friendly catalysts in organic synthesis
Wilson, K., & Clark, J. H. (2000) · Pure and Applied Chemistry · doi:10.1351/pac200072071313 · Cited by 303 · see citing works
STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF WATER SURROUNDING BIOMOLECULES
Saenger, W. (1987) · Annual Review of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry · doi:10.1146/annurev.bb.16.060187.000521 · Cited by 300 · see citing works
Silicate cages: precursors to new materials
Harrison, P. G. (1997) · Journal of Organometallic Chemistry · doi:10.1016/s0022-328x(96)06821-0 · Cited by 285 · see citing works
Energy for microbial life on Europa
Chyba, C. F. (2000) · Nature · doi:10.1038/35000281 · Cited by 282 · see citing works
Schenk, P. M. (2002) · Nature · doi:10.1038/417419a · Cited by 270 · see citing works
Superoxide dismutase: A comparison of rate constants
Forman, H. J., & Fridovich, I. (1973) · Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics · doi:10.1016/0003-9861(73)90636-x · Cited by 252 · see citing works
Iron—Sulfur Clusters in Enzymes: Themes and Variations
Cammack, R. (1992) · Advances in inorganic chemistry · doi:10.1016/s0898-8838(08)60066-5 · Cited by 246 · see citing works
The Galactic Habitable Zone: Galactic Chemical Evolution
GONZÁLEZ, G. A. (2001) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2001.6617 · Cited by 244 · see citing works
The deep subterranean biosphere
Pedersen, K. (1993) · Earth-Science Reviews · doi:10.1016/0012-8252(93)90058-f · Cited by 240 · see citing works
Lineweaver, C. H. (2001) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2001.6607 · Cited by 200 · see citing works
Habitable moons around extrasolar giant planets
Williams, D. M., Kasting, J., & Wade, R. (1997) · Nature · doi:10.1038/385234a0 · Cited by 195 · see citing works
Gaidos, E. J., Nealson, K. H., & Kirschvink, J. L. (1999) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.284.5420.1631 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
Takai, K., Moser, D. P., Onstott, T. C., Spoelstra, N., Pfiffner, S. M., Dohnalkova, A. C., & Fredrickson, J. K. (2001) · INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY · doi:10.1099/00207713-51-4-1245 · Cited by 184 · see citing works
On the internal structure and dynamics of Titan
Grasset, O., Sotin, C., & Frédéric Deschamps, A. (2000) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/s0032-0633(00)00039-8 · Cited by 183 · see citing works
Triton's Geyser-Like Plumes: Discovery and Basic Characterization
Soderblom, L. A., Kieffer, S. W., Becker, T. L., Brown, R. H., Cook, A. F., Hansen, C. J., Johnson, T. V., Kirk, R. L., & SHOEMAKER, E. M. (1990) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.250.4979.410 · Cited by 176 · see citing works
Off-the-shelf proteins that rival tailor-made antibodies as catalysts
Hollfelder, F., Kirby, A. J., & Tawfik, D. S. (1996) · Nature · doi:10.1038/383060a0 · Cited by 175 · see citing works
CAMPBELL, A. J., Humayun, M., & WEISBERG, M. K. (2002) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/s0016-7037(01)00794-3 · Cited by 170 · see citing works
Showman, A. P., & Malhotra, A. R. (1999) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.286.5437.77 · Cited by 170 · see citing works
Low‐Density Graphite Grains and Mixing in Type II Supernovae
Travaglio, C., Roberto Gallino, A., Amari, S., ZINNER, E. K., Woosley, S. E., & Lewis, R. S. (1999) · The Astrophysical Journal · doi:10.1086/306551 · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Structure of siloxene and layered polysilane ( Si 6 H 6 )
Dahn, J. R., Way, B. M., FULLER, E., & Tse, J. S. (1993) · Physical review. B, Condensed matter · doi:10.1103/physrevb.48.17872 · Cited by 167 · see citing works
BETA PICTORIS: An Early Solar System?
Artymowicz, P. (1997) · Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences · doi:10.1146/annurev.earth.25.1.175 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Multiple bonds to silicon: 20 years later
West, R. (2002) · Polyhedron · doi:10.1016/s0277-5387(01)01017-8 · Cited by 139 · see citing works
Hydration/hydrolysis by solid acids
IZUMI, Y. (1997) · Catalysis Today · doi:10.1016/s0920-5861(96)00165-4 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Exobiological Implications of a Possible Ammonia–Water Ocean inside Titan
Fortes, A. (2000) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2000.6400 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Cockell, C. S. (1999) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/s0032-0633(99)00036-7 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
van de Vossenberg, J. L. C. M., Driessen, A. J. M., Zillig, W., & Konings, W. N. (1998) · Extremophiles · doi:10.1007/s007920050044 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Basri, G. (2000) · Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics · doi:10.1146/annurev.astro.38.1.485 · Cited by 131 · see citing works
BRASH, A. R., Baertschi, S. W., Ingram, C. D., & Harris, T. M. (1988) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.85.10.3382 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Photoconductivity in organopolysilanes
Fujino, M. (1987) · Chemical Physics Letters · doi:10.1016/0009-2614(87)80285-3 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Silicon molecules in space and in the laboratory
McCarthy, M. C., Gottlieb, C. A., & Thaddeus, P. (2003) · Molecular Physics · doi:10.1080/0026897021000035197 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
On the formation of Fe-Ni metal in Renazzo-like carbonaceous chondrites
Connolly, H. C., Jr., Huss, G. R., & Wasserburg, G. J. (2001) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/s0016-7037(01)00749-9 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
Höppe, P., Strebel, R., Eberhardt, P., Amari, S., & Lewis, R. S. (1996) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/0016-7037(95)00435-1 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Pristine presolar silicon carbide
BERNATOWICZ, T. J., Messenger, S., Pravdivtseva, O. V., Swan, P. D., & Walker, R. M. (2003) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/s0016-7037(03)00461-7 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Structure and optical properties of the planar silicon compounds polysilane and Wöhler siloxene
Dettlaff‐Weglikowska, U., Hönle, W., Molassioti‐Dohms, A., Finkbeiner, S., & Weber, J. (1997) · Physical review. B, Condensed matter · doi:10.1103/physrevb.56.13132 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Hengge, E. F., & Janoschek, R. (1995) · Chemical Reviews · doi:10.1021/cr00037a016 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Stroppolo, M. E., Falconi, M., Caccuri, A. M., & Desideri, A. (2001) · Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences · doi:10.1007/pl00000788 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Phase equilibria of supercritical fluid–polymer systems
Chang, S.-H., Park, S., & Shim, J. (1998) · The Journal of Supercritical Fluids · doi:10.1016/s0896-8446(98)00042-4 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Murugavel, R., Chandrasekhar, V., Voigt, A., Roesky, H. W., Schmidt, H., & Noltemeyer, M. (1995) · Organometallics · doi:10.1021/om00011a054 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Carbon isotopic composition and origin of SiC from kimberlites of Yakutia, Russia
Mathez, E. A., Fogel, R. A., Hutcheon, I. D., & Marshintsev, V. K. (1995) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/0016-7037(95)00002-h · Cited by 83 · see citing works
A Dynamical Analysis of the 47 Ursae Majoris Planetary System
Laughlin, G., Chambers, J., & Fischer, D. (2002) · The Astrophysical Journal · doi:10.1086/342746 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
The Surface of Titan from NICMOS Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope
Meier, R. (2000) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2000.6360 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Natural occurrence of silicon carbide in a diamondiferous kimberlite from Fuxian
Leung, I. S., Guo, W., Friedman, I. I., & Gleason, J. D. (1990) · Nature · doi:10.1038/346352a0 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Vapor-liquid equilibrium thermodynamics of N2 + CH4: Model and Titan applications
Thompson, W. R., Zollweg, J. A., & Gabis, D. H. (1992) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/0019-1035(92)90127-s · Cited by 79 · see citing works
A Non-Earthcentric Approach to Life Detection
Conrad, P. G., & Nealson, K. H. (2001) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/153110701750137396 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Diffusion‐collision model for the folding kinetics of myoglobin
Bashford, D., Cohen, F. E., Karplus, M., Kuntz, I. D., & Weaver, D. L. (1988) · Proteins Structure Function and Bioinformatics · doi:10.1002/prot.340040308 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
AUDRIETH, L. F., & Kleinberg, J. (1953) · Soil Science · doi:10.1097/00010694-195305000-00012 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Gravitational microlensing by low-mass objects in the globular cluster M22
Sahu, K. C., Casertano, S., Livio, M., Gilliland, R. L., Panagia, N., Albrow, M. D., & Potter, M. (2001) · Nature · doi:10.1038/35082507 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Classification of the mesophase of di-isobutylsilanediol
Bunning, J. D., Lydon, J. E., Eaborn, C., Jackson, P. M., Goodby, J. W., & Gray, G. W. (1982) · Journal of the Chemical Society Faraday Transactions 1 Physical Chemistry in Condensed Phases · doi:10.1039/f19827800713 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Determination of habitable zones in extrasolar planetary systems: Where are Gaia's sisters?
Franck, S., von Bloh, W., Bounama, C., Steffen, M., Schönberner, D., & Schellnhuber, H. J. (2000) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/1999je001169 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Structure of subcritical and supercritical hydrogen-bonded liquids and solutions
Yamaguchi, T. (1998) · Journal of Molecular Liquids · doi:10.1016/s0167-7322(98)00083-x · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Condensation from supernova gas made of free atoms
EBEL, D. S., & Grossman, L. (2001) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/s0016-7037(00)00550-0 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Phase behavior of poly(1,1-dihydroperfluorooctylacrylate) in supercritical carbon dioxide
Luna‐Bárcenas, G., Mawson, S. D., Takishima, S., DeSimone, J. M., Sánchez, I. C., & Johnston, K. P. (1998) · Fluid Phase Equilibria · doi:10.1016/s0378-3812(98)00215-5 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
On the possibility of earth-type habitable planets around 47 UMa
Cuntz, M. (2003) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/s0019-1035(02)00058-1 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Nakamura, T., Noguchi, T., Yada, T., Nakamuta, Y., & Takaoka, N. (2001) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/s0016-7037(01)00722-0 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Liquids and solids on the surface of Titan: results of a new photochemical model
Lara, L. M., Lorenz, R. D., & Rodrigo, R. (1994) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/0032-0633(94)90135-x · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Assessing the Plausibility of Life on Other Worlds
Irwin, L. N., & Schulze‐Makuch, D. (2001) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/153110701753198918 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Imido analogues of p-block oxoanions
Aspinall, G. M., Copsey, M. C., Leedham, A. P., & Russell, C. A. (2002) · Coordination Chemistry Reviews · doi:10.1016/s0010-8545(02)00014-0 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Hydration of acetylenic compounds without using mercury
Meier, I. K., & Marsella, J. A. (1993) · Journal of Molecular Catalysis · doi:10.1016/0304-5102(93)87031-3 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Lickiss, P. D., Litster, S. A., Redhouse, A. D., & Wisener, C. J. (1991) · Journal of the Chemical Society Chemical Communications · doi:10.1039/c39910000173 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Behles, J. A., & DeSimone, J. M. (2001) · Pure and Applied Chemistry · doi:10.1351/pac200173081281 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Palmisano, A. C., Kottmeier, S. T., Moe, R., & Sullivan, C. (1985) · Marine Ecology Progress Series · doi:10.3354/meps021037 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
The low temperature organic chemistry of Titan's geofluid
Raulin, F., Bruston, P., Paillous, P., & Sternberg, R. (1995) · Advances in Space Research · doi:10.1016/s0273-1177(99)80104-5 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Thermodynamics of Geysers: Application to Titan
Lorenz, R. D. (2002) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2001.6779 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Surfactants and self-assembly in carbon dioxide
DeSimone, J. M. (2001) · Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science · doi:10.1016/s1359-0286(00)00041-3 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Bains, W. (2001) · Nature Biotechnology · doi:10.1038/88044 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Self-citationRole of Catalytic Residues in Enzymatic Mechanisms of Homologous Ketosteroid Isomerases ,
Oh, K. S., Cha, S., Kim, D., Cho, H., Ha, N., Choi, G., Lee, J. Y., Tarakeshwar, P., Son, H. S., Choi, K. Y., et al. (2000) · Biochemistry · doi:10.1021/bi001629h · Cited by 38 · see citing works
The crystal structure of (HOMe2Si)2O
Lickiss, P. D., Redhouse, A. D., Thompson, R. J., Stańczyk, W. A., & Rózga‐Wijas, K. (1993) · Journal of Organometallic Chemistry · doi:10.1016/0022-328x(93)80320-b · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Triton's plumes: Discovery, characteristics, and models
Kirk, R., Soderblom, L. A., Brown, R. H., Kieffer, S. W., & Kargel, J. S. (1995) · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Bauerfeind, S. (1985) · Marine Ecology Progress Series · doi:10.3354/meps021027 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Fujii, T., Koike, T., Mori, A., & Osakada, K. (2002) · Synlett · doi:10.1055/s-2002-19785 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Formation of Supermolecule by Assembling of Two Different Silanols
Unno, M., Takada, K., & Matsumoto, H. (2000) · Chemistry Letters · doi:10.1246/cl.2000.242 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Hydration of Alkynes: A Convenient Route to Diverse Carbonyl Compounds
Tsuchimoto, T., Joya, T., Shirakawa, E., & Kawakami, Y. (2000) · Synlett · doi:10.1055/s-2000-8707 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Liu, K., & Kiran, E. (1999) · The Journal of Supercritical Fluids · doi:10.1016/s0896-8446(99)00016-9 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
SiH and the unidentified 4.6 micron feature
Nuth, J. A., & Moore, M. H. (1988) · The Astrophysical Journal · doi:10.1086/185188 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Cheng, J.-S., Tang, M., & Chen, Y. (2002) · Fluid Phase Equilibria · doi:10.1016/s0378-3812(01)00657-4 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Crater lakes on Titan: rings, horseshoes and bullseyes
Lorenz, R. D. (1994) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/0032-0633(94)90134-1 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Taylor, F. W., & Coustenis, A. (1998) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/s0032-0633(98)00073-7 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Planetary Embryos Never Formed in the Kuiper Belt
Morbidelli, A., Jacob, C., & Petit, J.-M. (2002) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2002.6832 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Lithoautotrophy in the subsurface
Stevens, T. O. (1997) · FEMS Microbiology Reviews · doi:10.1016/s0168-6445(97)00015-6 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Beckman, E. J., & Smith, R. D. (1990) · The Journal of Physical Chemistry · doi:10.1021/j100372a069 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Lorenz, R. D. (2002) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2002.6880 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Nonspecific Catalysis By Protein Surfaces
Kirby, A. J., Hollfelder, F., & Tawfik, D. S. (2000) · Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology · doi:10.1385/abab:83:1-3:173 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
In Search of the Molecules of Life
Crawford, R. (2001) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2001.6714 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Napier, W. M., & Clube, S. V. M. (1997) · Reports on Progress in Physics · doi:10.1088/0034-4885/60/3/001 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Organosilane occurrence in irghizite samples from the Zhamanshin impact crater, Kazakhstan
Zbik, M. S., Jasieniak, M., & Smart, R. S. C. (2000) · Meteoritics and Planetary Science · doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.2000.tb01484.x · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Anomalous Mobility of H+ and OH− Ions
Gierer, A., & Wirtz, K. (1949) · The Journal of Chemical Physics · doi:10.1063/1.1747388 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Polysilanes: Conformations, Chromotropism and Conductivity
West, R. (2009) · Patai's chemistry of functional groups · doi:10.1002/9780470682531.pat0243 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Crystallization of a linear aliphatic polyester from solution in supercritical carbon dioxide
Stejny, J., Whitfield, A. F., Pritchard, G. M., & Hill, M. J. (1998) · Polymer · doi:10.1016/s0032-3861(97)10248-8 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Comparison of antibody and albumin catalyzed hydrolysis of steroidalp-nitrophenylcarbonates
Riva, S., Mendozza, M., Carrea, G., Chattopadhyay, P., & Tramontano, A. (1998) · Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology · doi:10.1007/bf02787707 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
The solubility of selected halogen hydrocarbons in liquid nitrogen at 77.4 K
Dabrowska, B. (1984) · Cryogenics · doi:10.1016/0011-2275(84)90158-9 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Szczepaniec-Cięciak, E., & Krzeczkowska, M. (1998) · Journal of Solution Chemistry · doi:10.1023/a:1022662020454 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
The 4.6 micron feature of –SiH groups in silicate dust grains and infrared cometary spectra
Blanco, A., Fonti, S., & Orofino, V. (1999) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/s0032-0633(98)00121-4 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
The Third Catalogue of Nearby Stars - Results and Conclusions
Jahreiß, H., & Gliese, W. (1993) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-011-1711-1_18 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Kurdziel, M., Szczepaniec-Cięciak, E., Żarnowska, E. D., Stach, J., Nitek, W., & Dabrowska, B. (2001) · Journal of Solution Chemistry · doi:10.1023/a:1012232131905 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
The solubility of solidified bromoethane C2H5Br in liquid nitrogen at 77.4 K
Dabrowska, B. (1996) · Cryogenics · doi:10.1016/s0011-2275(96)00079-3 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Solubility of CFCl3, CHCl3, CCl4 and C2HCl3 in liquid nitrogen at 77.4 K
Dωbrowska, B. (1991) · Cryogenics · doi:10.1016/0011-2275(91)90025-r · Cited by 5 · see citing works
On the Nature of the Solutions of Metallic Sodium in Liquid Ammonia
Freed, S., & Thode, H. G. (1939) · The Journal of Chemical Physics · doi:10.1063/1.1750329 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Yeo, I., Han, S., Yu, J.-H., & Bai, D.-H. (1998) · Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Brown dwarfs: At last filling the gap between stars and planets
Zuckerman, B. (2000) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.97.3.963 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
1 of the 131 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Seager, S., & Deming, D. (2010) · Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics · doi:10.1146/annurev-astro-081309-130837 · Cited by 435 · see citing works
Cockell, C. S., Bush, T., Bryce, C. C., Direito, S. O. L., Fox‐Powell, M. G., Harrison, J. P., Lammer, H., Landenmark, H., Martín‐Torres, J., Nicholson, N., et al. (2016) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2015.1295 · Cited by 399 · see citing works
Is there a common chemical model for life in the universe?
Benner, S. A., Ricardo, A., & Carrigan, M. A. (2004) · Current Opinion in Chemical Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2004.10.003 · Cited by 363 · see citing works
Catling, D. C., Glein, C. R., Zahnle, K. J., & McKay, C. P. (2005) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2005.5.415 · Cited by 307 · see citing works
Seager, S. (2013) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1232226 · Cited by 252 · see citing works
How to Characterize Habitable Worlds and Signs of Life
Kaltenegger, L. (2017) · Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics · doi:10.1146/annurev-astro-082214-122238 · Cited by 240 · see citing works
Searching for Life on Mars: Selection of Molecular Targets for ESA's Aurora ExoMars Mission
Parnell, J., Cullen, D., Sims, M. R., Bowden, S., Cockell, C. S., Court, R., Ehrenfreund, P., Gaubert, F., Grant, W., Parro, V., et al. (2007) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2006.0110 · Cited by 199 · see citing works
Seager, S., Bains, W., & Petkowski, J. J. (2016) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2015.1404 · Cited by 174 · see citing works
Self-citationHayes, A. G. (2016) · Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences · doi:10.1146/annurev-earth-060115-012247 · Cited by 175 · see citing works
Experimentally Tracing the Key Steps in the Origin of Life: The Aromatic World
Ehrenfreund, P., Rasmussen, S., Cleaves, J. H., & Chen, L. (2006) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2006.6.490 · Cited by 174 · see citing works
The thermal limits to life on Earth
Clarke, A. (2014) · International Journal of Astrobiology · doi:10.1017/s1473550413000438 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
Planetary habitability: lessons learned from terrestrial analogues
Preston, L. J., & Dartnell, L. R. (2014) · International Journal of Astrobiology · doi:10.1017/s1473550413000396 · Cited by 155 · see citing works
Silanediol Protease Inhibitors: From Conception to Validation
Sieburth, S. M., & Chen, C. (2005) · European Journal of Organic Chemistry · doi:10.1002/ejoc.200500508 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
An Energy Balance Concept for Habitability
Hoehler, T. M. (2007) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2006.0095 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
A Two-Tiered Approach to Assessing the Habitability of Exoplanets
Schulze‐Makuch, D., Méndez, A., Fairén, A. G., von Paris, P., Turse, C., Boyer, G. M., Dávila, A. F., Walther-Antonio, M. R. S., Catling, D. C., & Irwin, L. N. (2011) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2010.0592 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Cosmic Ray Impact on Extrasolar Earth-Like Planets in Close-in Habitable Zones
Grießmeier, J. ‐., Stadelmann, A., Motschmann, U., Belisheva, N. K., Lammer, H., & Biernat, H. K. (2005) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2005.5.587 · Cited by 137 · see citing works
Domagal-Goldman, S. D., Wright, K. E., Domagal-Goldman, S. D., Wright, K. E., Adamala, K., Arina de la Rubia, L., Bond, J., Dartnell, L. R., Goldman, A. D., Lynch, K., et al. (2016) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2015.1460 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
“Silicon is part of the same group in the periodic table (column 14) and, like carbon, is able to form stable polymers with itself (silanes); with carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen (silicones); as well as with many metals (Bains, 2004).”
InfluentialExoMol molecular line lists – XXXVII. Spectra of acetylene
Chubb, K. L., Tennyson, J., & Yurchenko, S. N. (2020) · Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society · doi:10.1093/mnras/staa229 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
An Astrophysical View of Earth-Based Metabolic Biosignature Gases
Seager, S., Schrenk, M. O., & Bains, W. (2012) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2010.0489 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Self-citationThe prospect of alien life in exotic forms on other worlds
Schulze-Makuch, D., & Irwin, L. N. (2006) · Naturwissenschaften · doi:10.1007/s00114-005-0078-6 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
The Search for Alien Life in Our Solar System: Strategies and Priorities
Shapiro, R., & Schulze‐Makuch, D. (2009) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2008.0281 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
On the Potential of Silicon as a Building Block for Life
Petkowski, J. J., Bains, W., & Seager, S. (2020) · Life · doi:10.3390/life10060084 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Self-citationIs Water the Universal Solvent for Life?
Pohorille, A., & Pratt, L. R. (2012) · Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres · doi:10.1007/s11084-012-9301-6 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
McKay, C. P. (2016) · Life · doi:10.3390/life6010008 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
A More Comprehensive Habitable Zone for Finding Life on Other Planets
Ramirez, R. M. (2018) · Geosciences · doi:10.3390/geosciences8080280 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Islam, M., Lantada, A. D., Mager, D., & Korvink, J. G. (2021) · Advanced Healthcare Materials · doi:10.1002/adhm.202101834 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
The Nature of Life: Classical and Contemporary Perspectives from Philosophy and Science
Bedau, M. A., & Cleland, C. E. (2010) · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Dávila, A. F., & McKay, C. P. (2014) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2014.1150 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Low Energy Subsurface Environments as Extraterrestrial Analogs
Jones, R. M., Goordial, J., & Orcutt, B. N. (2018) · Frontiers in Microbiology · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.01605 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
A “Follow the Energy” Approach for Astrobiology
Hoehler, T. M., Amend, J. P., & Shock, E. L. (2007) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2007.0207 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Extreme life on Earth—past, present and possibly beyond
Javaux, E. (2005) · Research in Microbiology · doi:10.1016/j.resmic.2005.07.008 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
An Extensive Phase Space for the Potential Martian Biosphere
Jones, E., Lineweaver, C. H., & Clarke, J. D. A. (2011) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2011.0660 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Colloquium: Physical constraints for the evolution of life on exoplanets
Lingam, M., & Loeb, A. (2019) · Reviews of Modern Physics · doi:10.1103/revmodphys.91.021002 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Would contact with extraterrestrials benefit or harm humanity? A scenario analysis
Baum, S. D., Haqq-Misra, J. D., & Domagal-Goldman, S. D. (2010) · Acta Astronautica · doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2010.10.012 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Irwin, L. N., Méndez, A., Fairén, A. G., & Schulze‐Makuch, D. (2014) · Challenges · doi:10.3390/challe5010159 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Physical constraints on the likelihood of life on exoplanets
Lingam, M., & Loeb, A. (2017) · International Journal of Astrobiology · doi:10.1017/s1473550417000179 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Moving Beyond Definitions in the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Cleland, C. E. (2019) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2018.1980 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Habitability: from stars to cells
Javaux, E., & Dehant, V. (2010) · The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review · doi:10.1007/s00159-010-0030-4 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Diving into Exoplanets: Are Water Seas the Most Common?
Ballesteros, F., Fernández-Soto, A., & Martı́nez, V. J. (2019) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2017.1720 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Habitable zones with stable orbits for planets around binary systems
Jaime, L. G., Aguilar, L. A., & Pichardo, B. (2014) · Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society · doi:10.1093/mnras/stu1052 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Free-floating planets as potential seats for aqueous and non-aqueous life
Bădescu, V. (2011) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2011.09.013 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Lingam, M., & Loeb, A. (2018) · International Journal of Astrobiology · doi:10.1017/s1473550418000083 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
The Quest for a Universal Theory of Life
Cleland, C. E. (2019) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781139046893 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Role of Acetylene in the Chemical Evolution of Carbon Complexity
Pentsak, E. O., Murga, M. S., & Ananikov, V. P. (2024) · ACS Earth and Space Chemistry · doi:10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00223 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Hidden Concepts in the History and Philosophy of Origins-of-Life Studies: A Workshop Report
Mariscal, C., Barahona, A., Aubert-Kato, N., Aydinoglu, A. U., Bartlett, S., Cárdenas, M. L., Chandru, K., Cleland, C., Cocanougher, B. T., Comfort, N., et al. (2019) · Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres · doi:10.1007/s11084-019-09580-x · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Neubauer, D., Vrtala, A. E., Leitner, J. J., Firneis, M. G., & Hitzenberger, R. (2012) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/j.pss.2012.07.020 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
The Cosmic Zoo: The (Near) Inevitability of the Evolution of Complex, Macroscopic Life
Bains, W., & Schulze‐Makuch, D. (2016) · Life · doi:10.3390/life6030025 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Self-citationContemporary Liquid Water on Mars?
Wray, J. J. (2020) · Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences · doi:10.1146/annurev-earth-072420-071823 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Evaluating Alternatives to Water as Solvents for Life: The Example of Sulfuric Acid
Bains, W., Petkowski, J. J., Zhan, Z., & Seager, S. (2021) · Life · doi:10.3390/life11050400 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Astrobiology of Alien Worlds: Known and Unknown Forms of Life
Irwin, L. N., & Schulze‐Makuch, D. (2020) · Universe · doi:10.3390/universe6090130 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
The benefits and harm of transmitting into space
Haqq-Misra, J. D., Busch, M. W., Som, S. M., & Baum, S. D. (2013) · Space Policy · doi:10.1016/j.spacepol.2012.11.006 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Aqueous electrochemistry: The toolbox for life's emergence from redox disequilibria
Nitschke, W., Schoepp‐Cothenet, B., Duval, S., Zuchan, K., Farr, O., Baymann, F., Panico, F., Minguzzi, A., Branscomb, E., & Russell, M. J. (2022) · Electrochemical Science Advances · doi:10.1002/elsa.202100192 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
The Origin of Life: What Is the Question?
Malaterre, C., Jeancolas, C., & Nghe, P. (2022) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2021.0162 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Neubauer, D., Leitner, J. J., Firneis, M. G., & Hitzenberger, R. (2013) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/j.pss.2013.04.012 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Bains, W., & Seager, S. (2012) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2011.0718 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Self-citationFormation of Higher Silanes in Low-Temperature Silane (SiH4) Ices
Tarczay, G., Förstel, M., Maksyutenko, P., & Kaiser, R. I. (2016) · Inorganic Chemistry · doi:10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b01327 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
What do we think life is? A simple illustration and its consequences
Bains, W. (2013) · International Journal of Astrobiology · doi:10.1017/s1473550413000281 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Self-citationPredicting what extra-terrestrials will be like: and preparing for the worst
Morris, S. C. (2011) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences · doi:10.1098/rsta.2010.0276 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Asymptotic burnout and homeostatic awakening: a possible solution to the Fermi paradox?
Wong, M. L., & Bartlett, S. (2022) · Journal of The Royal Society Interface · doi:10.1098/rsif.2022.0029 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Guttenberg, N., Chen, H., Mochizuki, T., & Cleaves, H. J. (2021) · Life · doi:10.3390/life11030234 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Alternative Solvents for Life: Framework for Evaluation, Current Status, and Future Research
Bains, W., Petkowski, J. J., & Seager, S. (2024) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2024.0004 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Self-citationInformed Generation: Physical origin and biological evolution of genetic codescript interpreters
Wills, P. R. (2009) · Journal of Theoretical Biology · doi:10.1016/j.jtbi.2008.12.030 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Cockell, C. S. (2017) · Physics Today · doi:10.1063/pt.3.3493 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Oxygen-Free Biochemistry: The Putative CHN Foundation for Exotic Life in a Hydrocarbon World?
Lv, K.-P., Norman, L., & Li, Y. (2017) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2016.1574 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
The Breakthrough Listen Exotica Catalog: Supplementary Materials
Lacki, B. C., Brzycki, B., Croft, S., Czech, D. J., DeBoer, D. R., DeMarines, J., Gajjar, V., Isaacson, H. T., Lebofsky, M., MacMahon, D. H. E., et al. (2021) · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · doi:10.5281/zenodo.4726253 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Chapter 9: Life as We Don't Know It
Grefenstette, N. M., Chou, L., Colón‐Santos, S. M., Fisher, T. M., Mierzejewski, V., Nural, C., Sinhadc, P., Vidaurri, M., Vincent, L., & Weng, M. M. (2024) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2021.0103 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
McLendon, C., Opalko, F. J., Illangkoon, H. I., & Benner, S. A. (2015) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2014.1212 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
The maximum growth rate of life on Earth
Corkrey, R., McMeekin, T. A., Bowman, J. P., Olley, J. N., Ratkowsky, D. A., & Ross, T. (2017) · International Journal of Astrobiology · doi:10.1017/s1473550416000501 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Secondary Electrons as an Energy Source for Life
Stelmach, K. B., Neveu, M. F., Vick‐Majors, T. J., Mickol, R. L., Chou, L., Webster, K. D., Tilley, M., Zacchei, F., Escudero, C., Martinez, C. L. F., et al. (2018) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2016.1510 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Multiverse Predictions for Habitability: Number of Potentially Habitable Planets
Sandora, M. (2019) · Universe · doi:10.3390/universe5060157 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Tables of Rosseland mean opacities for candidate atmospheres of life hosting free-floating planets
Bădescu, V. (2009) · Open Physics · doi:10.2478/s11534-009-0134-5 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
The Physical, Chemical and Physiological Limits of Life
Schulze‐Makuch, D., Schulze-Makuch, A., & Houtkooper, J. M. (2015) · Life · doi:10.3390/life5031472 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Cleland, C. E. (2019) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781139046893.004 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
A Bayesian Analysis of Technological Intelligence in Land and Oceans
Lingam, M., Balbi, A., & Mahajan, S. M. (2023) · The Astrophysical Journal · doi:10.3847/1538-4357/acb6fa · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Pascal, R. (2016) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2015.1412 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Lingam, M. (2021) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2020.2392 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
What Can Life on Earth Tell Us About Life in the Universe?
Lineweaver, C. H., & Chopra, A. (2012) · Cellular origin and life in extreme habitats · doi:10.1007/978-94-007-2941-4_40 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Occupied and Empty Regions of the Space of Extremophile Parameters
Robinson, J. M., & Mikucki, J. A. (2018) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-811940-2.00009-5 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
α‐Sila‐Dipeptides: Synthesis and Characterization
Minkovich, B., Ruderfer, I., Kaushansky, A., Bravo‐Zhivotovskii, D., & Apeloig, Y. (2018) · Angewandte Chemie International Edition · doi:10.1002/anie.201807027 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Hydrogen sensing in Titan's atmosphere: Motivations and techniques
Lorenz, R. D., Imanaka, H., McKay, C. P., Makel, D. B., Hunter, G. W., Trainer, M. G., Osiander, R., Mastandrea, A., Barnes, J. W., & Turtle, E. P. (2019) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/j.pss.2019.05.010 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Venus, phosphine and the possibility of life
Clements, D. L. (2022) · Contemporary Physics · doi:10.1080/00107514.2023.2184932 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Ward, P. D., & Benner, S. A. (2007) · Planets and Life · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511812958.029 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Using the phase diagram of liquid water to search for life
Jones, E., & Lineweaver, C. H. (2012) · Australian Journal of Earth Sciences · doi:10.1080/08120099.2011.591430 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Schulze‐Makuch, D. (2013) · Cellular origin and life in extreme habitats · doi:10.1007/978-94-007-6546-7_14 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Getting Beyond the Toy Domain. Meditations on David Deamer’s “Assembling Life”
Bains, W. (2020) · Life · doi:10.3390/life10020018 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Self-citationConstraints on the free-floating planets supporting aqueous life
Bădescu, V. (2011) · Acta Astronautica · doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.06.001 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Effective stellar flux calculations for limits of life-supporting zones of exoplanets
Ludwig, W., Eggl, S., Neubauer, D., Leitner, J. J., Firneis, M. G., & Hitzenberger, R. (2016) · Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society · doi:10.1093/mnras/stw509 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Porter, C. J., Beckingham, L. E., Jabiyev, E., Shi, Z., & Pour, M. H. M. (2023) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-13439-5.00008-9 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
The First Thousand Exoplanets: Twenty Years of Excitement and Discovery
Impey, C. (2013) · NASA/ESA Conference on Adaptive Hardware and Systems · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-35983-5_10 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Multiverse Predictions for Habitability: Element Abundances
Sandora, M., Airapetian, V., Barnes, L. A., Lewis, G. F., & Pérez‐Rodríguez, I. (2022) · Universe · doi:10.3390/universe8120651 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Cockell, C. S., & Nixon, S. L. (2012) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-31730-9_7 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Life and the Need for a Solvent
Schulze‐Makuch, D., & Irwin, L. N. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-97658-7_7 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Ivanov, I., Smoukov, S. K., Nourafkan, E., Landfester, K., & Schwille, P. (2023) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781119555568.ch12 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Coustenis, A., & Blanc, M. (2012) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511902574.014 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Grève, S. S. (2023) · Philosophies · doi:10.3390/philosophies8050089 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Amino acid synthesis in Europa's subsurface environment
Abbas, S. H., & Schulze‐Makuch, D. (2008) · International Journal of Astrobiology · doi:10.1017/s1473550408004114 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Schulze‐Makuch, D., & Irwin, L. N. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-97658-7_6 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
α‐Sila‐Dipeptides: Synthesis and Characterization
Minkovich, B., Ruderfer, I., Kaushansky, A., Bravo‐Zhivotovskii, D., & Apeloig, Y. (2018) · Angewandte Chemie · doi:10.1002/ange.201807027 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Rinaldi, A. C. (2007) · EMBO Reports · doi:10.1038/sj.embor.7400966 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Three explanations for extraterrestrials: sensible, unlikely, mad
Morris, S. C. (2016) · International Journal of Astrobiology · doi:10.1017/s1473550416000379 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
- Authors
- Bains, W.
- Affiliations
- Rufus Scientific, Melbourn, Royston, Herts, United Kingdom
- Corresponding author
- Bains, William
- ORCID
- Bains, William
- Venue
- Astrobiology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2004-06
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 137-167
- ISSN
- 1531-1074 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-8070
- OpenAlex
- W2014424809
- Cited by
- 193
- References
- 131
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 2.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Astrobiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution
- Keywords
- alternative biochemistry, liquid nitrogen, silicon-based life, Galilean moons, origin of life, thermodynamics of life
- MeSH terms
- Biochemical Phenomena, Biochemistry, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Silicon, Thermodynamics, Solar System, Life
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
