The hot spring hypothesis for an origin of life
We present a testable hypothesis related to an origin of life on land in which fluctuating
volcanic hot spring pools play a central role. The hypothesis is based on experimental …
volcanic hot spring pools play a central role. The hypothesis is based on experimental …
The origin of life as a planetary phenomenon
We advocate an integrative approach between laboratory experiments in prebiotic chemistry
and geologic, geochemical, and astrophysical observations to help assemble a robust …
and geologic, geochemical, and astrophysical observations to help assemble a robust …
Unified prebiotically plausible synthesis of pyrimidine and purine RNA ribonucleotides
Theories about the origin of life require chemical pathways that allow formation of life's key
building blocks under prebiotically plausible conditions. Complex molecules like RNA must …
building blocks under prebiotically plausible conditions. Complex molecules like RNA must …
Mimicking lightning-induced electrochemistry on the early Earth
To test the hypothesis that an abiotic Earth and its inert atmosphere could form chemically
reactive carbon-and nitrogen-containing compounds, we designed a plasma …
reactive carbon-and nitrogen-containing compounds, we designed a plasma …
Selective prebiotic formation of RNA pyrimidine and DNA purine nucleosides
The nature of the first genetic polymer is the subject of major debate. Although the 'RNA
world'theory suggests that RNA was the first replicable information carrier of the prebiotic era …
world'theory suggests that RNA was the first replicable information carrier of the prebiotic era …
When did life likely emerge on Earth in an RNA‐first process?
The widespread presence of ribonucleic acid (RNA) catalysts and cofactors in the Earth′ s
biosphere today suggests that RNA was the first biopolymer to support Darwinian evolution …
biosphere today suggests that RNA was the first biopolymer to support Darwinian evolution …
Diverse geochemical conditions for prebiotic chemistry in shallow-sea alkaline hydrothermal vents
Hydrothermal systems, where geothermally heated water discharges through a planet's
crust, occur on land or underwater. Hydrothermal systems have been proposed as …
crust, occur on land or underwater. Hydrothermal systems have been proposed as …
Isotopic constraints on lightning as a source of fixed nitrogen in Earth's early biosphere
Bioavailable nitrogen is thought to be a requirement for the origin and sustenance of life.
Before the onset of biological nitrogen fixation, abiotic pathways to fix atmospheric N2 must …
Before the onset of biological nitrogen fixation, abiotic pathways to fix atmospheric N2 must …
Biogeochemical explanations for the world's most phosphate-rich lake, an origin-of-life analog
S Haas, KP Sinclair, DC Catling - Communications Earth & …, 2024 - nature.com
Environmental phosphate concentrations are typically much lower (~ 10− 6 M) than needed
for prebiotic phosphorylation of nucleosides, critical for the origin of life. Here, we tested …
for prebiotic phosphorylation of nucleosides, critical for the origin of life. Here, we tested …
Photochemistry of anoxic abiotic habitable planet atmospheres: impact of new H2O cross sections
We present a study of the photochemistry of abiotic habitable planets with anoxic CO 2–N 2
atmospheres. Such worlds are representative of early Earth, Mars, and Venus and …
atmospheres. Such worlds are representative of early Earth, Mars, and Venus and …