Ben Feringa: Exploring Molecular Signatures of Life

Lecture by Dr Ben Feringa, 2016 Nobel laureate in Chemistry and member of the Molecular Frontiers Scientific Advisory Board, at the Molecular Frontiers Symposium "On Human Origins and the Future of Humanity", at Lund University April 18-19, 2024. The symposium was co-organized with Lund University and the Royal Physiographic Society of Lund.
ABSTRACT:
How to go from simple molecules to form a molecular system that shows life-like properties is one of the great mysteries of modern science. Among the essential features of living systems is the unique handedness of its essential molecules which implicates mirror symmetry breaking at the molecular level. This allows precise assembly and information transfer but also the ability to construct molecular motors allowing to get controlled motion. In this lecture I will discuss how to explore these molecular signatures of life in the lab and the progress towards artificial molecular machines and the smart materials of the future.