Starting from a homogeneous blend of non-biochemistry related substances, we use light to start a Polymerization Induced Self-Assembly (PISA) reaction that triggers the boot-up of micron scale chemical systems. After forming, these grow, move, implode, self-reproduce and, for different types, compete for resources and show their “struggle for existence”.
Albertsen, A., Szymański, J. & Pérez-Mercader, J. Emergent Properties of Giant Vesicles Formed by a Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (PISA) Reaction. Sci Rep 7, 41534 (2017).
National Academies Publications
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2018). Visions into Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022: A Midterm Review. The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C. doi:10.17226/25186.
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). Review of the Restructured Research and Analysis Programs of NASA’s Planetary Science Division. The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C. doi:10.17226/24759.
Releated Research Groups and Institutes
News and Commentary
- “A step toward solving central mystery of life on Earth”, Harvard Gazette, July 22, 2025
- “Life without life: Scientists build self-reproducing synthetic cells without biochemistry”, Science News Today, May 29, 2025
- “Artificial cell-like structures mimic self-reproduction and release polymeric spores”, Phys.org, May 29, 2025
- “Self-reproducing synthetic cells”, Chemical & Engineering News, May 27, 2025
- “Why there might be life out there unlike any on Earth”, Harvard Gazette, June 6, 2023
- “Dissipative Self-Assembly of Dynamic Multicompartmentalized Microsystems with Light-Responsive Behaviors” highlighted in preview article “Energy Dissipation at Interfaces Drives Multicompartment Remodeling“, Chem 6(5), 2020
- “Scientists Create Self-Replicating Chemicals to Help Explain the Origins of Life“, Vice
- “This Computer Is Made Entirely Out of Chemicals“, Vice
- “How Chemistry Computes” highlighted in preview article “A Language for Molecular Computation“, Chem 5(12), 2019
- “How Chemistry Computes” highlighted by iScience editors
- “Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly“, Advanced Science News
- “Mimicking Living Systems using Polymer Chemistry“, Advanced Science News
- “Tracing the amphiphilic worm“, Chemistry World
- “Mimicking life in a chemical soup“, Harvard Gazette
