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X-WR-CALNAME;VALUE=TEXT:Dr. John Sutherland (University of Cambridge) "The cyanosulfidic scenario revisited - was the first life photolithoheterotrophic?"
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SUMMARY:Dr. John Sutherland (University of Cambridge) "The cyanosulfidic scenario revisited - was the first life photolithoheterotrophic?"
DESCRIPTION:<p>Abstract: A decade ago, we published a paper describing how reductive homologation of hydrogen cyanide and derivatives thereof can give rise to nucleotides alongside lipid and amino acid precursors. The reaction network relied upon reduction of hydrogen cyanide-derived nitriles and thioamides by electrons photochemically produced from sulfidic anions - hence cyanosulfidic chemistry. Consequences of this chemistry will be presented and potential improvements to the geochemical plausibility of the process will be discussed. In particular, a novel way of sourcing the electrons for the reduction using longer wavelength UV radiation than used before will be showcased. The possibility that the first life on Earth relied upon a supply of nucleotides, but was capable of photochemically synthesising amino acid precursors from hydrogen cyanide using sulfidic anions will be suggested.</p><p>Patel, B.H., Percivalle, C., Ritson, D.J., Duffy, C.D. and Sutherland, J.D., 2015. Common origins of RNA, protein and lipid precursors in a cyanosulfidic protometabolism.&nbsp;<em>Nature chemistry</em>,&nbsp;<em>7</em>(4), pp.301-307.</p>
LOCATION:Haller Hall - 24 Oxford Street
STATUS:CONFIRMED
DTSTART:20251217T210000Z
DTEND:20251217T223000Z
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