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A robotic prebiotic chemist probes long term reactions of complexifying mixtures

Author

Listed:
  • Silke Asche

    (University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue)

  • Geoffrey J. T. Cooper

    (University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue)

  • Graham Keenan

    (University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue)

  • Cole Mathis

    (University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue)

  • Leroy Cronin

    (University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue)

Abstract

To experimentally test hypotheses about the emergence of living systems from abiotic chemistry, researchers need to be able to run intelligent, automated, and long-term experiments to explore chemical space. Here we report a robotic prebiotic chemist equipped with an automatic sensor system designed for long-term chemical experiments exploring unconstrained multicomponent reactions, which can run autonomously over long periods. The system collects mass spectrometry data from over 10 experiments, with 60 to 150 algorithmically controlled cycles per experiment, running continuously for over 4 weeks. We show that the robot can discover the production of high complexity molecules from simple precursors, as well as deal with the vast amount of data produced by a recursive and unconstrained experiment. This approach represents what we believe to be a necessary step towards the design of new types of Origin of Life experiments that allow testable hypotheses for the emergence of life from prebiotic chemistry.

Suggested Citation

  • Silke Asche & Geoffrey J. T. Cooper & Graham Keenan & Cole Mathis & Leroy Cronin, 2021. "A robotic prebiotic chemist probes long term reactions of complexifying mixtures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-23828-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23828-z
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