Date/Time Date(s) - 01/12/20038:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Title: Network Origins Lecture: From The Big Bang to the Origins of Life –
Speaker: Dr. James Ferris
Institute: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Location: TSH-120
Description:
an Approach to the Formation of the RNA World
The processes that led to the origins of life began with the Big Bang and proceeded via the formation of the elements, galaxies, solar systems and planets. The potential for life elsewhere in our galaxy and solar system will be discussed. Possible stages in the chemical evolution of the complex organic compounds on the prebiotic Earth will be outlined with an emphasis on a postulated route to RNA. In one scenario for the origins of life RNA is proposed to be a central molecule in the “RNA World” where life was based on RNA. In this proposal the RNA world preceded the DNA-protein world, which is the basis of life on Earth today.