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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”.
Summary of Juan Perez-Mercader’s Harvard's Origins of Life Initiative Forum, delivered May 12, 2021
Juan Perez-Mercader’s Harvard's Origins of Life Initiative Forum, delivered May 12, 2021
News and Commentary:
- "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