Protocells: Milestones and recent advances
The origin of life is still one of humankind's great mysteries. At the transition between
nonliving and living matter, protocells, initially featureless aggregates of abiotic matter, gain …
nonliving and living matter, protocells, initially featureless aggregates of abiotic matter, gain …
Prebiotic astrochemistry and the formation of molecules of astrobiological interest in interstellar clouds and protostellar disks
Despite the generally hostile nature of the environments involved, chemistry does occur in
space. Molecules are seen in environments that span a wide range of physical and chemical …
space. Molecules are seen in environments that span a wide range of physical and chemical …
The role of meteorite impacts in the origin of life
The conditions, timing, and setting for the origin of life on Earth and whether life exists
elsewhere in our solar system and beyond represent some of the most fundamental …
elsewhere in our solar system and beyond represent some of the most fundamental …
Our astrochemical heritage
P Caselli, C Ceccarelli - The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review, 2012 - Springer
Our Sun and planetary system were born about 4.5 billion years ago. How did this happen,
and what is the nature of our heritage from these early times? This review tries to address …
and what is the nature of our heritage from these early times? This review tries to address …
The future of origin of life research: bridging decades-old divisions
Research on the origin of life is highly heterogeneous. After a peculiar historical
development, it still includes strongly opposed views which potentially hinder progress. In …
development, it still includes strongly opposed views which potentially hinder progress. In …
What makes a planet habitable?
This work reviews factors which are important for the evolution of habitable Earth-like
planets such as the effects of the host star dependent radiation and particle fluxes on the …
planets such as the effects of the host star dependent radiation and particle fluxes on the …
Modeling sulfur depletion in interstellar clouds
JC Laas, P Caselli - Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2019 - aanda.org
Context. The elemental depletion of interstellar sulfur from the gas phase has been a
recurring challenge for astrochemical models. Observations show that sulfur remains …
recurring challenge for astrochemical models. Observations show that sulfur remains …
A hydrogen-rich early Earth atmosphere
We show that the escape of hydrogen from early Earth's atmosphere likely occurred at rates
slower by two orders of magnitude than previously thought. The balance between slow …
slower by two orders of magnitude than previously thought. The balance between slow …
Life in the light: nucleic acid photoproperties as a legacy of chemical evolution
Photophysical investigations of the canonical nucleobases that make up DNA and RNA
during the past 15 years have revealed that excited states formed by the absorption of UV …
during the past 15 years have revealed that excited states formed by the absorption of UV …
Shock synthesis of amino acids from impacting cometary and icy planet surface analogues
Comets are known to harbour simple ices and the organic precursors of the building blocks
of proteins—amino acids—that are essential to life. Indeed, glycine, the simplest amino acid …
of proteins—amino acids—that are essential to life. Indeed, glycine, the simplest amino acid …