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To unravel the origin of life, treat findings as pieces of a bigger puzzle

Explaining isolated steps on the road from simple chemicals to complex living organisms is not enough. Looking at the big picture could help to bridge rifts in this fractured research field.
  1. Nick Lane

    1. Nick Lane is professor of evolutionary biochemistry in the Division of Biosciences, University College London, UK.

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  2. Joana C. Xavier

    1. Joana C. Xavier is a scientist in the Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, UK.

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Aerial view of the Grand Prismatic Springs geyser in Yellowstone National Park

One scenario suggests that life began in geothermal pools on land, such as this hot spring in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Credit: Jeff Vanuga/Nature Picture Library

The origin of life is one of the greatest challenges in science. It transcends conventional disciplinary boundaries, yet has been approached from within those confines for generations. Not surprisingly, these traditions have emphasized different aspects of the question.

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Nature 626, 948-951 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00544-4

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Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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