Molecule and Fullerene Molecules in the Origin of Life*

We continue our interest in the investigation of the molecules of biological interest, by performing computations on the properties of various complexes of C₆₀ fullerenes with some simple organic molecules. “Minimal life’ is very difficult to define, but we consider a molecular system to be alive if it can turn resources into building blocks of life, and it can replicate and evolve. In considering how prebiotic building blocks self-assemble and transform themselves into a living system we have to address two main questions: the processes of prebiotic building blocks forming containers, metabolic networks, and informational polymers; and the organization of these three components in a protocell. We uncover here some credible cooperative mechanisms among all the aspects of protocell assembly: starting material, reaction mechanisms, thermodynamics, and the integration of the three different functionalities. We also examine the implications for origin of extraterrestrial life. We propose some laboratory experiments that might help in testing our theoretical results. Finally, we discuss possible links between the three disciplines of astro-chemistry, prebiotic chemistry, and artificial life research.