Sijbren Otto is awarded a Vici grant
Towards Darwinian evolution with fully synthetic molecules.
Biological systems exist by virtue of continuous processes of synthesis and degradation. At essentially all levels of biology there is a dynamic balance between formation and decay; between life and death. Ironically, without decay and death there would be no biology. The VICI grant was awarded to learn how to operate synthetic chemical systems in the same continuous synthesis/degradation regime as is commonplace in biology. Mastering these principles and applying these to molecular networks of self-replicating molecules should then enable the development of fully synthetic systems capable of undergoing Darwinian evolution. Such systems would pave the way to the development of de-novo life.
Last modified: | 04 July 2014 9.36 p.m. |
More news
-
21 May 2024
Results of 2024 University elections
The votes have been counted and the results of the University elections are in!
-
13 May 2024
Trapping molecules
In his laboratory, physicist Steven Hoekstra is building an experimental set-up made of two parts: one that produces barium fluoride molecules, and a second part that traps the molecules and brings them to an almost complete standstill so they can...