Research on the origin of life and its search beyond Earth

Authors

  • Carlos Briones Llorente Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24310/enbio.17.192.2025.22858

Keywords:

Prebiotic chemistry, RNA world, LUCA, Astrobiology, Mars, Ocean worlds

Abstract

Astrobiology is a young and interdisciplinary field that combines advances from various branches

of physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and engineering, while also maintaining a philosophical perspective. In this

context, we study how life began on our planet under the conditions that existed at least 3.9 billion years ago, also

considering the molecules that may have reached us from space aboard meteorites or comets. At the same time,

we investigate whether the transition between chemistry and biology could have taken place in other environments

considered “habitable” within the Solar System. Among these are the search for biomarkers on Mars, in the clouds

of Venus, and on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn that possess subsurface oceans of liquid water, such as Europa,

Enceladus, and Titan. Beyond our cosmic neighborhood, the search for signs of life extends to extrasolar planets, of

which more than 6,000 are already known. Thus, between chance and necessity, we now ask ourselves whether it is

more likely that we are alone. . . or that the Universe is full of living beings.

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References

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Ruiz-Mirazo K, Briones C, de la Escosura A

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Schwieterman EW, Kiang NY, Parenteau MN,

et al. (2018). Exoplanet biosignatures: A review of

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Theiling BP, Chou L, Da Poian V, et al. (2022).

Science autonomy for ocean worlds Astrobiology: A

perspective. Astrobiology 22: 901-913.

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Published

2026-01-24

Dimensions

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How to Cite

Research on the origin of life and its search beyond Earth. (2026). Encuentros En La Biología, 17(192), 8-12. https://doi.org/10.24310/enbio.17.192.2025.22858