Biology

Prof. James Handerson Cleaves
Earth Life Science Institute, Tokyo Tech

Attempts to understand the origin of life almost always involve some attempt to reconcile particular aspects of modern biochemistry (the “top-down” approach) with presumed environments and processes on primitive planetary bodies (the “bottom-up” approach). A great many detailed mechanistic schemes which rely on these notions have been proposed over the years, and although none has been universally accepted as likely to be “correct,” a few have focused experimental efforts in productive ways. The utility and potential hindrance provided by “top-down” and “bottom-up” methodological filters is discussed, as are some potential alternative approaches.