A joint research effort involving scientists from Japan, Malaysia, the UK and Germany has revealed a groundbreaking theory about the emergence of life on Earth. Their findings are: chemical systems chemistrysuggests that the sticky gel covering Earth’s surface may have played an important role in the origin of life, long before true cells formed. This innovative perspective not only sheds light on Earth’s early biological history, but could also open new avenues in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Throughout history, the question of how life arose has intrigued humans, leading to ongoing investigations without direct observation of the moment of its formation. Researchers in fields as diverse as chemistry, physics, and geology have been trying to piece together the events that may have led to the birth of life as we know it.
The research team introduced a concept they dubbed the “prebiotic gel first” hypothesis. This theory postulates that the early stages of life occurred within a gel matrix attached to a surface. These sticky, semisolid substances are similar to modern microbial biofilms, which are thin layers of bacteria found on various surfaces such as rocks, pond surfaces, and man-made structures. Tony Z. Jia, a professor at Hiroshima University and co-lead author, said this approach emphasizes the role of gels, rather than focusing solely on the functions of biomolecules and biopolymers.
The researchers argue that these primordial gels may have provided an ideal physical environment for chemical systems to evolve. By organizing and trapping molecules, gels can increase molecular concentration and retain beneficial compounds, while also acting as a buffer against environmental fluctuations. Within these protected regions, early chemical networks may have exhibited primitive metabolic activity and even rudimentary self-replication, establishing the basis for biological evolution.
Co-lead author Kuhan Chandru, a research scientist at the National University of Malaysia’s Space Science Center, spoke about the significance of their discovery, saying their theory is one of many in origin-of-life research, but highlights an often overlooked aspect of how primordial gels played an important role.
The implications of this hypothesis extend beyond Earth. Scientists suspect that similar gel-like systems, called “xenophyllums,” exist on other planets and are composed of entirely different chemical components suited to different environments. This revised perspective could revolutionize the way researchers track extraterrestrial life and could prompt missions to explore organized gel-like structures in addition to known biomolecules.
To test their model, the researchers will conduct laboratory experiments aimed at discovering how simple chemicals form gels under conditions similar to those on early Earth. Additionally, we plan to investigate specific properties that these gels may bring to new chemical systems.
As the research gains momentum, the team hopes their work will encourage further exploration of unknown theories about the origin of life, as co-lead author and former UKM intern Ramona Khanum highlighted.
This research was made possible with support from multiple institutions, including the University of Leeds Research Mobility Fund, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and the Mizuho Science Foundation.