Origin of life

Biology, Physics, Chemistry. 23/09/10

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This is a conversation with Prof. Steven Benner, He is a founder and a distinguished fellow at the foundation for applied molecular evolution. He is a pioneer of several fields in biology like synthetic biology, paleogenetics and also know for his work on origins of life. In this conversation we talk about Steve's views on scientific method, what is life, properties of life, synthetic evolution, alien life and future of origins of life research.


About the guest

  • 00:00:00 Introduction

  • 00:01:02 Are we alone in the universe?

  • 00:06:11 Steven's views on scientific method!

  • 00:15:07 What motivates science?

  • 00:16:22 Are there good or mediocre questions in science?

  • 00:28:22 How to maintain quality of science?

  • 00:30:38 Scientific journey of Steven

  • 00:37:43 Definition of life adopted by NASA

  • 00:39:01 Understanding self-sustaining system as life

  • 00:45:30 Carbon-based life in the universe?

  • 00:53:01 Expanding the genetic code

  • 00:59:28 Beyond the three-letter genetic code

  • 01:01:08 Life on other planets based on expanded genetic code

  • 01:03:52 Intrinsically disordered proteins as early basis of life

  • 01:09:33 Early biomolecules of life

  • 01:11:33 Membranes in the early protocells

  • 01:13:26 Synthetic Darwinism

  • 01:14:24 Fidelity in early replication process

  • 01:15:53 Artificial intelligence and artificial life

  • 01:19:04 Science fiction as fighting with aliens

  • 01:20:54 Fear of artificial life

  • 01:22:53 DNA as storage device

  • 01:26:29 James Webb telescope

  • 01:28:05 What should NASA look for to find life on exoplanets?

  • 01:33:23 Space travel

  • 01:35:43 Thank you!

Timestamps