Creating Life from Chemical Molecules: A Research Group’s Goal
Evolutionary biologist Eörs Szathmáry, along with three other researchers from different countries, has embarked on a groundbreaking project to create life from chemical molecules in a laboratory setting. The six-year project, named MiniLife, has received a generous funding of EUR 10 million from the European Research Council.
The Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA) highlighted that the origin of life on Earth remains one of the biggest open questions in biochemistry and evolutionary biology. Despite numerous theories, the answer to how life can emerge from inanimate matter still eludes scientists. Eörs Szathmáry, a renowned academic and evolutionary biologist, emphasized the lack of understanding in the fundamental question of life’s transition from non-living to living entities.
Building on a theory proposed by Hungarian chemist Tibor Gánti over fifty years ago, the research team aims to create a “living minimal system” by the end of the project. This system would consist of small units capable of using molecules in their environment to self-replicate, demonstrating the essential components required for life – a metabolic system, information storage and replication system, and an interface separating the organism from its surroundings.
The team’s approach involves leveraging advanced algorithms to generate chemical networks in computers, mimicking chemical reactions that could lead to the formation of simple life forms. By utilizing artificial intelligence to explore chemical processes, researchers hope to observe the development of new organisms with unique chemistry, potentially offering valuable insights into the origins of life on Earth.
While the chemistry of the created organisms may differ from traditional life forms, the research holds promise in advancing our understanding of life’s evolution and could provide crucial insights into humanity’s origins. The researchers anticipate that the project’s outcomes could revolutionize the field of biochemistry and evolutionary biology, shedding light on the complex mechanisms underpinning life’s emergence. This ambitious endeavor represents a significant step towards unraveling the mysteries of life’s beginnings and unlocking the secrets of our biological origins.
