Isotopic Resonance Hypothesis of the Origin of Life and its Testing

by Roman Zubarev (Karolinska Institute)

Monday 16 Jan 2012, 10:15 → 11:15 Europe/Stockholm

FB52

The abundances of stable isotopes are approximately constant in the inner part of the Solar system. The average isotopic masses of the most important for life elements C,H, N and O combined into simple amino acids show an intriguing relationship with the number of nucleons. Is this just an unlikely coincidence or this link, known as the "isotopic resonance", played a role in abiotic production of amino acids and peptides and thus affected the probability of Life emergence in the Solar system? In the latter is correct, then isotopic abundances affect the rates of chemical and biochemical reactions in a specific and predictable way. To test this hypothesis, we embarked on an experimental study, preliminary results of which will be presented.