Origin of Life
A section of Life (ISSN 2075-1729).
Section Information
Papers published in this Section are related to the chemical and physical processes that can lead to the origin of life. Although many of the papers will concern the origin of life on early Earth, studies of how life can begin on other planets and moons in the solar system and exoplanets are also welcome. Living cells are incredibly complex systems, so one of the key challenges is to seek simple beginnings with a demonstrated potential for complexification. Papers will deal with multiple aspects, such as sources of organic compounds, the capture of energy, the origin of metabolism, the nature of the first reproducing and evolving chemical entities (templating biopolymers vs. catalytic networks), the origin of homochirality, the emergence of encoded translation, non-enzymatic catalysis, lipids, and other encapsulations to form protocells. Most manuscripts are expected to report experimental results, but we welcome essays, short communications, and testable hypotheses. We encourage physicochemically rigorous origin models, preferably supported by simulations, but do not encourage purely speculative or philosophical manuscripts. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- origin of life
- early Earth
- planets
- exoplanets
- complex systems
- organic compounds
- capture of energy
- origin of metabolism
- templating biopolymers
- catalytic networks
- origin of homochirality
- encoded translation,
- non-enzymatic catalysis
- encapsulations
- reproducing systems
- RNA
- Lipid
- physicochemical origin models
- dissipative systems
- non-equilibrium
- computer simulations
- definition of life
Editorial Board
Topical Advisory Panel
Special Issue
Following special issue within this section is currently open for submissions:
- Origin of Life in Chemically Complex Messy Environments: 2nd Edition (Deadline: 30 April 2025)
Topical Collections
Following topical collections within this section are currently open for submissions:
