Making Matter Come Alive

Explore the fascinating concept of inorganic life in this 15-minute TED talk by chemist Lee Cronin. Delve into the improbable origins of life on Earth and consider the possibility of alternative chemical foundations for living systems. Learn about Cronin's innovative approach to creating fully inorganic cells using a "Lego kit" of non-carbon molecules capable of assembly, replication, and competition. Discover how this research challenges traditional definitions of life and expands our understanding of evolutionary processes. Gain insights into topics such as inorganic biology, the special theory of evolution, reaction networks, and the concept of molecular Darwinism. Examine the Miller-Urey experiment and its modern counterparts, and explore the implications of a universal definition of life that transcends carbon-based organisms.

Intro
Inorganic Biology
The Special Theory of Evolution
Questions
Improbable Life?
What is Life ? - Reaction Networks
What is Life ? - Energy and Disorder
Where Did Life Come From?
TED
The Problem with 'The Origin' RNA World
Origin of Life - Two Options • Intelligent design (direct and indirect) • Emergence of chemical complexity → biology
Miller-Urey (1953) Cronin-Group (2011)
Recipe to Create Inorganic Life
Inorganic 'LEGO-KIT' of Molecules
Molecular Darwinism
General Theory of Evolution
The Universal Definition of Life