The Origin of Life - from geophysics to biology

Albert Libchaber examines a hypothesis that the thermal gradients driving Earth’s tectonics and hydrothermal vents could also have powered the emergence of life. Experiments address successive parts of this scenario: tectonic motion, amplification of DNA in vent-like environments, peptide polymerization under high pressure, and the organization of bacteria. The lecture connects physical, chemical and biological processes to ask how geophysical energy, independently of sunlight, could support a route from nonliving matter to living systems.