eLife Assessment: On the nature of the earliest known lifeforms
Abstract
Microfossils reported from Archaean BIFs most likely were liposome-like protocells, which had evolved intracellular mechanisms for energy conservation but not for regulating cell morphology and replication.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Origins and Evolution of Life
Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
Protist diversity and phylogeny
Publication details
- Journal / source
- eLife
- Publication date
- 17 February 2026
- Language
- EN