On the pathway to complexity: mutual amino acid-clay interactions in origins of life

Orr Rose Bezaly, Helen King, Annemieke Petrignani

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractAcademic

Abstract

The baffling nature of how life can emerge from otherwise non-living matter is one of the most intriguing open scientific questions. It is known that monomeric building blocks of life, such as amino acids that comprise proteins, are ubiquitous across the universe [1]. Off-world organics synthesized in space conditions can be delivered to rocky planets and enrich the local planetary reservoir [2]. Interactions of monomeric organics with clay minerals have been demonstrated crucial in complexifying this planetary reservoir, promoting the formation of biopolymers in warm pond conditions [3-5]. Research is however biased towards the incorporation of monomers of earth-like biopolymers, often dismissing the role of exogeneous species despite their universality. The study of mixtures of different-source organics and their interaction with critical mineral surfaces is therefore the immediate next step.
In this work, we examine adsorption interactions between calcium-montmorillonite and the strongly adsorbing proteinogenic L-lysine and L-arginine in the presence of the meteorite-common, non-proteinogenic gamma-aminobutyric acid. Single component vs. mixture adsorption behaviour is studied using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The adsorption behaviour and the influence on the clay’s structure is analysed and characterised [6-7]. It provides important insights on nanoscale effects that can govern non-enzymatic processes leading to chemical complexification on rocky planets.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 2024
EventHRSMC Lustrum Symposium - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Duration: 14 Nov 202415 Nov 2024

Conference

ConferenceHRSMC Lustrum Symposium
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityAmsterdam
Period14/11/2415/11/24

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