E&E Seminar Series: Tarring the emergence of life

ABSTRACT

Attempts to develop abiotic, self-sustaining, evolving molecular systems in the lab tend to produce tarry, dead-end messes rather than macromolecular products with potential for biostructure and function. This is the infamous ‘tar paradox’. Nevertheless, primordial life somehow emerged despite that presumed handicap. In this talk, I shall present our research involving stochastic dynamical modelling of bio-oligomer formation on mineral surfaces. We find that normally distributed input fluctuations produce non-normally distributed output fluctuations, the effect of which is to partially suppress tar formation. Non-performing polymers are fractionated into a refractory carbon reservoir and active monomers, which may be recycled into better functioning, non-tarring polymers. I shall discuss the antecedents of this research and the importance of multidisciplinary approaches. 

BIOGRAPHY

I had the benefit of a full multidisciplinary training in mathematics and in mathematical chemical physics, so that has enabled my research journey to take the scenic route. (A series of ARC fellowships has helped too.) Working on complex and nonlinear dynamical systems problems with scientists and engineers from different disciplines has given me a wider appreciation of the cultural frameworks of knowledge. Respect for culture underpins my group’s research and teaching initiative on non-Western and Indigenous mathematics