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2\14 Studies examine evolution of two world-altering chemical processes in
biosphere, point to possible origin
Part 2 of 2

"There's tremendous appeal in having a bioengineered version of 
nitrogen fixation. If we understand this complex pathway and its 
origin and evolution, then we can think more effectively about 
engineering it into other places. The benefit to society of being able 
to engineer in nitrogen fixation into most crop plants would be 
profound," he said. 

Founded in 1998, the NASA Astrobiology Institute sponsors scientific 
research in a wide variety of disciplines aimed at asking and 
answering large and fundamental questions about life in the universe.
Astrobiology is an exciting new discipline devoted to the study of 
life on Earth and elsewhere in the universe -- its origin, evolution, 
distribution, and future. This new area of multidisciplinary study is
bringing together the physical and biological sciences to address some 
of the most fundamental questions of the natural world.

The NASA Astrobiology Institute is composed of over 700 researchers 
distributed at more that 130 research institutions across the United 
States. Its central offices are located at NASA Ames Research Center, 
in the heart of Silicon Valley, California. Additional information 
about the NAI can be found at its website:  http://nai.arc.nasa.gov

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