Carl Robert Woese

Carl Robert Woese was a microbiologist best known for discovering that life’s internal classification needed updating. He analyzed the genetic material of tiny organisms called microbes and found that they are divided into three main groups, called domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. His work challenged the traditional view that bacteria and other organisms were closely related, showing instead that Archaea are a separate, distinct group. This discovery revolutionized our understanding of evolution and the tree of life, highlighting the deep evolutionary roots and diversity of microorganisms.