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SUMMARY:Towards the Evolutionary Genesis Engine\n - Prof Lee Cronin
DTSTART:20150217T200000Z
DTEND:20150217T211500Z
UID:TALK57327@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Adam
DESCRIPTION:As Regius Chair of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow and 
 named as one of the EPSRC top 10 inspiring scientists and engineers in the
  UK in 2014\, Professor Lee Cronin is one of the UK’s most exciting youn
 g researchers. His research is pioneering a new field of inorganic biology
 \, constructing complex functional molecular architectures from non-biolog
 ical building blocks and the potential of these to revolutionize modern te
 chnologies\, with applications ranging from developing materials for solar
  fuel cells that effectively produces a liquid fuel suitable for transport
  use\, to 3D-printing of drugs important for the developing world. His tal
 k will reflect on the most important recent findings from his group\, incl
 uding making the first 3D printed electrochemical device and finding a new
  method for hydrogen production for renewable energy.\n\nHow exactly did l
 ife first arise on planet earth\, how long did it take\, and what chemical
  soup was required to initiate the process to move from the inorganic to t
 he organic and biological world? These are fantastically elusive questions
  and\, whilst it is not possible to ever answer them for sure\, a growing 
 number of researchers are suggesting that it may be possible to simulate a
 nd even recreate the process. In this contribution Professor Lee Cronin wi
 ll outline a new theory that sets out the possible limits on the chemical 
 and material space as well\, as time limits\, that needs to be searched al
 ong with a practical implementation of this theory in the development of a
  chemical reaction platform array. This theory is needed since one of the 
 barriers preventing the development of reactor systems suitable for explor
 ing ‘open’ or dissipative chemical systems\, e.g. molecular replicatio
 n or open-ended formation of proto-cells\, is the programming of fluidic r
 eactor systems.\n\n\n\nIn our laboratory we have recently developed a prog
 rammable fluidic system comprising a series of linear flow systems\, coupl
 ed network reactor arrays with a sensor array\, and control actuation. In 
 this research\, by coupling separate reactions in both space and time\, we
  aim to control the assembly of kinetically unstable structures that are m
 aintained away from thermodynamic equilibrium. In a nutshell we will use a
  fully automated semi-batch-semi-flow system to explore the non-equilibriu
 m assembly of inorganic structures\, combinatorial organic reactions combi
 ned with gradients of light\, pH\, redox\, organic cations selecting for c
 atalysis\, emergence functionality and persistence of morphology.\n\n\n\nT
 hus\, by generating a vast population of chemical inputs\, stochastic chem
 ical reactions\, followed by an assay that will allow selection and feedba
 ck\, Professor Lee Cronin will explain how we are developing a new paradig
 m for evolution outside of biology."\n\nEveryone is welcome. Free for memb
 ers\, £2 on the door for non-members. Followed by refreshments (that mean
 s smoothies\, cheese and grapes!).
LOCATION:Department of Pharmacology Lecture Theatre\, Tennis Court Road
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