Impression3 billion years ago earth is a daunting place. The atmosphere consists mainly of hydrogen and helium, and temperatures of around 100 degrees Celsius in combination with frequent asteroid impacts demand an exceptional survival strategy. | AdaptionMicroorganisms merge to form a structured community within a selfdeveloped matrix – the biofilm. The thin mucous layer is the archetype of life. The prehistoric community offers mechanical stability, protection from pollutants as well as biochemical exchange as the basis for genetic development. | SelectionThe biofilm fosters genetic exchange between the incorporated species. The success of the biofilm is substantiated by its extension. Biofilms can be found everywhere: in deserts, amidst glaciers, in oil tanks, in sulphuric acid and even in reactor cores. |
