The alternative, that life emerged fully formed, seems even more unlikely. Yet, two lines of evidence are converging to suggest that this is exactly what happened. It turns out that all the key molecules of life can form from the same simple carbon-based chemistry. What’s more, they easily combine to make startlingly lifelike “protocells”.
Emergence and Early Evolution of Life
Scientists from the University of Cambridge, ETH Zurich, Harvard University, and the University of Chicago have founded the Origins Federation, which aims to advance our understanding of the emergence and early evolution of life, and its place in the cosmos. This international alliance brings together the expertise of researchers working in the origins of life centers and these prestigious institutions. Together, scientists will explore the chemical and physical processes of living organisms and environmental conditions hospitable to life.
Implications for the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
The new theory unveiled by Cambridge scientists suggests that life’s key molecules can form from the same simple carbon-based chemistry. This has significant implications for the search for extraterrestrial life. If life’s building blocks can emerge easily in various environments, it opens up the possibility of finding life in a wider range of cosmic locations, beyond just Earth-like planets. The theory challenges the traditional assumptions about the specific conditions required for life to originate, potentially broadening the horizons for astrobiologists searching for habitable worlds.