Orgin and early evolution of life

Biology, Physics, Chemistry. 23/09/10

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This episode is with William (Bill) Martin. He is the head of the institute of molecular evolution at the University of Düsseldorf. With a career spanning over decades, he has made significant contributions to the field of molecular biology, particularly in the areas of evolution and symbiosis. Here we talk about the question of origin of life, importance of metabolism, prebiotic chemistry at hydrothermal vents, emergence of information, compartmentalization, and early evolution of cells.

About the guest

  • 00:00:00 Introduction 

  • 00:00:51 Charles Darwin's idea of warm little pond 

  • 00:04:19 Progress in the field of origin of life 

  • 00:13:46 Importance of energy for origin of life 

  • 00:20:40 Origin of life at the hydrothermal vents 

  • 00:30:45 Reaction of hydrogen and Carbon-DI-oxide at the hydrothermal vents 

  • 00:36:40 Crucial transitions for origin of cellular life 

  • 00:55:06 Emergence of information at hydrothermal vents 

  • 01:01:56 Importance of enzymes 

  • 01:06:25 Link between information and compartmentalization 

  • 01:08:24 Last Bacterial Common Ancestor (LBCA) and Last Archaeal Common Ancestor (LACA) 

  • 01:11:14 Importance of phase separation 

  • 01:16:10 Origin of life as an engineering problem 

  • 01:21:40 Life on exoplanets 

  • 01:23:57 Thank you!

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