Searching for the Asgards

Almost all visible life on Earth is eukaryotic. Trees, fish, humans, kelp, flowers, and mushrooms all share one thing: they are built from eukaryotic cells. Unlike prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus and mitochondria, the powerhouses that facilitate cellular functions such as eating, breathing, and physical appearance. Yet, where and how the first eukaryote came into existence is still one of biology’s greatest unknowns. Dr. Brett Baker, of the University of Texas at Austin, and an international team of scientists are working to resolve this mystery.