Discovery Unveils Early Pathway for Life's Formation on Earth

Scripps Research scientists identify a plausible process for the evolution of protocells, shedding light on the chemical origins of life.

Scripps Research scientists discovered a plausible pathway for the formation and evolution of protocells, suggesting phosphorylation may have occurred earlier than previously thought.
This discovery provides insights into the chemical environments of early Earth and lays the groundwork for understanding the origins of life.
The study involved mimicking prebiotic conditions and observing the formation of vesicles from fatty acids and glycerol, leading to more stable, double-chained protocells.
Researchers plan to further investigate the dynamic processes of protocells, including why some vesicles fused while others divided.
The findings were supported by the NASA Astrobiology-Exobiology and Simons Foundation grants, highlighting the significance of this research in the field of astrobiology.