Systems biochemistry

Interactions between (primitive) biomolecules

The complexity of the simplest conceivable cell suggests that a systems chemistry approach is required to recapitulate the intricate network of prebiotic reactions that led to the emergence of life. Early cells likely relied upon compatible and interconnected chemistries to link RNA, peptides, and membranes. Our goal is to probe the interplay between primitive membranes and functional biomolecules, such as peptides, oligonucleotides and metal-based cofactors.

We are developing a biochemical platform to uncover the role of biomolecule-membrane interactions on key prebiotic processes, in the effort to demonstrate the early coevolution of cell membranes, nucleic acids and proteins through the lens of systems chemistry.