MEDIA ADVISORY: “The birth of oxygen,” topic of next Saturday Morning Science

Story Contact(s):
MU News Bureau, munewsbureau@missouri.edu, 573-882-6211

WHAT: What was the cause of the biggest mass extinction in Earth’s history? According to National Academy of Science member John Abelson, it wasn’t a comet or a meteor – it was the birth of oxygen. This drastic change in the Earth’s atmosphere caused by microbial life nearly resulted in the extinction of all life about 2.5 million years ago. But we mammals would not be here without it – come find out why at the next Saturday Morning Science.

Saturday Morning Science requires no scientific background or knowledge to attend. The event is free and open to the public.

WHO: John Abelson, professor of biochemistry, University of California, San Francisco, and president of the Agouron Institute

WHEN &WHERE: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 5
Monsanto Auditorium, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center
MU campus

NOTE: Bagels, donuts, juice and coffee will be served at 10 a.m. Seating is limited to 250.