Physicists have long been intrigued by the mystery of life and how it emerges from lifeless chemical reactions. While they have been successful in understanding the formation of galaxies and planets, the complexity of life has remained a challenge.
In her upcoming book, “Life as No One Knows It: The Physics of Life’s Emergence,” Sara Walker, a physicist at Arizona State University, introduces assembly theory as a way to explain the origins of life. This theory suggests that life emerges when the universe finds a way to create highly intricate structures from smaller components.
Walker and her colleagues believe that assembly theory has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of life and even help identify life on other planets. In fact, Walker predicts that we may discover alien life in a laboratory setting before finding it elsewhere in the universe.
Originally intending to study cosmology, Walker shifted her focus to the origins of life after realizing the limitations of traditional physics in explaining the complexity of living organisms. She emphasizes the need for a new framework to measure the life-like qualities of chemical reactions, similar to how a thermometer measures temperature.
While the search for extraterrestrial life continues, Walker’s work highlights the importance of reevaluating existing theories and exploring new possibilities in understanding the essence of life itself. By delving into the concept of assembly theory, scientists may one day unlock the secrets of life’s emergence and potentially create life from scratch.
As we continue to push the boundaries of scientific exploration, the quest to unravel the mysteries of life remains a fascinating journey that may lead us to groundbreaking discoveries both on Earth and beyond. Walker’s research serves as a beacon of hope in our pursuit of understanding the fundamental principles that govern the origins of life in the universe.
