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Center for Astrophysics Research and Technologies Seminar Series Information

 

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The scientific quest to understand the origin of life

Thursday October 15, 2015
5:00 pm


 Presenter:  Nicholas Hud, Chemistry and Biochemistry Georgia Institute of Technology
 Series:  Sigma Xi Public Talk
 Abstract:  The origin of life remains one of the most intriguing and challenging scientific problems of all time. Chemists seeking to understand the origins of biological molecules use what are known as the "bottom-up" approaches, which typically involve laboratory experiments designed to reconstruct chemical reactions that took place on Earth around 4 billion years ago. Biologists are having great success with "top down" approaches, in which genetic information from extant organisms is being used to reconstruct the evolutionary history of cellular life. A common goal of these two approaches is to produce a continuous and scientifically plausible path from small, nonliving matter to contemporary life, a path that links the "prebiotic soup" with the first living cells. Recent advances made by chemists and biologists will be discussed, as well as what may soon be revealed about the origins and early evolution of life.
 Host:  Harjit Ahluwalia
 Location:  Room C, UNM Conference Center

Disability Notice If you need an auxiliary aid or service to attend any Department of Physics and Astronomy event, please contact the department (phone: 505 277-2616; email: physics@unm.edu) as far in advance as possible to ensure you are accommodated.