UV-light induces sequence-selective charge transfer states in short guanosine-containing oligonucleotides

August 31, 2020

Charge transfer states in different guanosine containing oligonucleotides decay on the picosecond timescale.

Link: https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cbic.202000103

Cosmic Rays May Explain Life’s Bias for Right-Handed DNA

June 29, 2020

Ultimately, the fact that researchers struggle to find a theory that balances the rise of chirality against the destruction of biological materials suggests that our ancestors may have been lucky to find that fine line.

“There is something special about planets like the Earth that protect this kind of chemistry,” Sasselov said.

https://www.quantamagazine.org/cosmic-rays-may-explain-lifes-bias-for-right-handed-dna-20200629/

Zoe Todd successfully defends thesis "From Astronomy to Chemistry: Origins of the Building Blocks of Life."

April 15, 2020

Abstract: The circumstances surrounding the origins of life on Earth are still unknown, though substantial progress has been made recently. In general, the origins of life might have followed the path where first, simple feedstock molecules available in the planetary environment react to form the molecular building blocks of life, which then come together to make chemical polymers and eventually self-replicating systems that could constitute life. This thesis addresses the first part of this postulated process, attempting to answer the questions: 1) what planetary sources exist for...

UV photostability of three 2-aminoazoles with key roles in prebiotic chemistry on the early earth

August 27, 2019

Three molecules (2-aminoimidazole, 2-aminothiazole, and
2-aminooxazole) that could play important roles in prebiotic
chemistry have varying lifetimes under UV radiation likely
present on the early Earth. These UV lifetimes can help
constrain potential scenarios for prebiotic chemistry
on Earth.