The Origin of Biomolecules on the Early Earth at Volcanic Hydrothermal Settings
A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Origin of Life".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 July 2023) | Viewed by 3719
Special Issue Editors
Interests: origin of life, transition metal sulfides; catalysis, hydrothermal conditions; acetylene; carbon fixation; chemical evolution; early metabolism;
Interests: thermophoresis; origin of life; non-equilibrium physics; hydrothermal systems; UV lesions; microfluidics; molecular evolution
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The formation of biomolecules is an indispensable prerequisite for the emergence of life on Earth. Simple monomeric biomolecules provide the basis for the further evolution of more complex biomolecules, which are essential for extant biochemistry and life as we know it.
Concerning the origin of such biomolecules, different habitats and conditions have been discussed in the scientific community, but there is no consensus about even the principal questions: terrestrial origin or initiated through meteoritic impacts, hot or cold origin, UV radiation or not, tidal or deep-sea conditions, acidic or alkaline pH values, and so on.
Volcanic hydrothermal settings on early Earth constitute one of the possible habitats for the formation of biomolecules from inorganic precursors. Metal minerals like iron, nickel and cobalt, including their sulfides, are abundant in Earth´s crust and could act as catalytic surfaces in the aqueous environment. Hydrothermal exhalations deliver a constant flow of simple, gaseous substrates like CO2, CO, acetylene, H2, H2S, HCN, and NH3 as substrates for the formation of simple organic molecules. High pressure and temperature could promote carbon fixation reactions and the early evolution of important biomolecules. Temperature and pH gradients in hydrothermal fluid flows as well as different bonding strength to the mineral surface allow selectivity and trigger reaction pathways to ever more complex biomolecules.
It seems striking that in extant biochemistry iron and nickel sulfide clusters still play an important role in catalyzing carbon fixation and hydrogenation reactions. This could inform further exploration of these scenarios in the search for the emergence of life.
In this Special Issue we highlight all aspects of biomolecule formation under hydrothermal conditions.
Scientific perspectives, research or review articles are encouraged for submission.
Dr. Claudia Huber
Dr. Christof B. Mast
Guest Editors
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