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The keynote presentation by Karen G Lloyd at RubyConf 2019 explores the fascinating biology of microbial life deep within Earth's crust, primarily focusing on marine sediments. The talk highlights how the vast majority of lives on Earth exist within these deep subsurface environments, suggesting that to truly understand life on our planet, we need to investigate its hidden aspects. Lloyd emphasizes that approximately a third of the microbes on Earth could be found buried beneath the ocean floor, creating an immense and largely unexplored ecosystem.

Key points discussed include:  
- The significant amount of Earth's surface covered by oceans and the importance of marine sediments for studying microbial life.  
- The method of sampling deep-sea sediments using specialized drilling ships, such as the JOIDES Resolution, and the challenges associated with cultivating these microbes in laboratory settings.  
- The concept of 'microbial dark matter,' which refers to the many unknown and uncultured microbes that exist in these environments.  
- Research findings that reveal these microbes exhibit incredibly slow growth rates, with some remaining dormant for centuries, which poses questions about their survival strategies.  
- The exploration of specific case studies, such as Lloyd's work in the Baltic Sea and sampling in the Central American volcanic arc, demonstrating the adaptability of microbes to extreme conditions.  
- A discussion on how these microbes utilize limited resources and may exhibit collaborative behaviors that challenge traditional biological assumptions.  
- The implications of these findings for our understanding of life not just on Earth but potentially on other planets, such as Mars and its subsurface environments.

In conclusion, Lloyd underscores the need to rethink our assumptions regarding microbial life, especially those that live in extreme environments, and invites further exploration into microbial ecosystems that might exist beyond our planet. The takeaway from the presentation emphasizes the secrets held by life in the deep Earth and the potential for discovering new forms of life in seemingly inhospitable conditions. The study of these microbes not only deepens our understanding of biology but also expands the possibilities of life beyond Earth.

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