Have you ever pondered the beginnings of life on Earth? While we often focus on biology and chemistry, it’s essential to also consider physics, energy, and electrons in this discussion. According to Josh Mancini from Rutgers University, our bodies extract energy from sugars in the food we consume. Our cells use proteins to take electrons from sugars and combine them with the oxygen we breathe.

But how did life emerge billions of years ago when there were no sugars or oxygen present? To solve this mystery, Mancini and his team are recreating primordial Earth conditions in a controlled chamber. They are exploring different ways electrons could have moved in the absence of oxygen, such as through hydrogen from hydrothermal vents or light energy from the sun.

By utilizing nickel as a catalyst, the researchers are studying how proteins interact with nickel to understand how early life forms could have transformed chemical energy into biological energy. Their aim is to uncover how primitive enzymes could have developed into more complex structures, shedding light on the evolution of life on Earth and potential scenarios on other planets.

Although they have yet to pinpoint the perfect protein/nickel combination, their research is making significant progress towards solving one of the most perplexing questions about the origin of life. Stay updated on their groundbreaking discoveries by subscribing to the Smarter Faster newsletter. Stay informed and don’t miss out on the latest insights from some of the most brilliant minds in the field.