Origins of Life

Origins of Life The RNA World Revisited ASU Origins Project Arizona State University/Tempe Mission Palms Hotel February 11-13, 2011 Friday. February 11. Noon LUNCH 1pm Welcome and introduction: Lawrence Krauss and Ariel Anbar 1:15-1:30pm Brief Introduction to the RNA World and the Origins of Life Sidney Altman, ASU Origins Project Distinguished Visiting Professor 1:30-2:00pm An Historical Perspective on Origins-of-Life Research Antonio Lazcano, National University of Mexico 2:00-2:15 pm Definitions of "Life": A Philosophical perspective Carol Cleland, University of Colorado 2:15-2:30 pm DISCUSSION 2:30-3:00 pm Break 3:00-3:30 pm Life as a Geochemical Process Everett Shock, Arizona State University 3:30 -4:00 pm Metabolism and the Early Earth Roger Buick, University of Washington 4:00-4:30 The Habitability of the Early Earth Steve Mojzsis, University of Colorado 4:30-5:00 pm Open discussion 5:00-5:15 Break 5:15-6:00 pm Enzyme Metallocenters and Origins/sulfides John Peters, Montana State University George Cody, Carnegie Inst 6:00-6:15 pm Open Discussion 6:30 pm Dinner—House of Tricks, Tempe, Arizona EFTA01114437 Saturday, February 12 9am-2:30pm RNA WORLD AND BEFORE 9-9:30am Prebiotic Synthesis of RNA and RNA analogues Steve Benner, Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution 9:30-10:00 Synthesis of Ribonucleotides John Sutherland, University of Cambridge 10:00-10:15 Discussion 10:15-10:30 BREAK 10:30-11:30 Origins of the Ribosome Eric Smith, Santa Fe Institute Loren Williams, Georgia Institute of Technology 11:30-noon Open discussion 12:00-1:00pm LUNCH 1:00-1:30 RNase P and Ancient Function Sidney Altman, ASU Origins Distinguished Visiting Professor 1:30-2:00 New results on RNA Catalysis M. Yarus, U. Colorado Boulder 2:00-2:15 OPEN DISCUSSION 2:15-5:15pm TOPIC: LIFE ELSEWHERE 2:15-2:45 Extraterrestrial Amino Acids Sandra Pizzarello, Arizona State University 2:45 - 3:00 PM BREAK 3:00-4:30pm Astrobiological aspects Chris McKay, NASA, Arizona State University Peter Ward, NASA, University of Washington Mike Russell, JPL, California Institute of Technology 4:30-5:00 Open discussion EFTA01114438 5:15-6:30pm RECEPTION- Light food 6:30pm Pickup for hotel transportation to ASU Gammage 7-9:30pm The Great Debate: What is Life? ASU Gammage Auditorium 9:30pm Pickup at ASU Gammage for transportation to Tempe Mission Palms Sundayalebruaryia 9am-noon TOPIC: ALTERNATIVES TO LIFE AS WE KNOW IT 9-9:30am Alternative RNA Ron Oremland, US Geological Survey 9:30-10am OPEN DISCUSSION 10:00-10:15 BREAK 10:15-11 AM Artificial Life J. Craig Venter, J. Craig Venter Institute 11:00-11:30 OPEN DISCUSSION: 1130-12:00 R. Dawkins, TBA 12:00-1:00 PM LUNCH EFTA01114439