Life and the universe compare to each other like a child and a parent, parent and offspring. Dimitar Sasselov childcomparelife Change image and share on social
When we discover New Earth - a planet we could call home - the question of the 'plurality of worlds' will come front and center, reminding us yet again that we are not the center of the universe. Dimitar Sasselov callcenterdiscover Change image and share on social
When we think of what is necessary for the phenomenon that we call life, we think of compartmentalization, keeping the molecules which are important for life in a membrane, isolated from the rest of the environment, but yet, in an environment in which they actually could originate together. Dimitar Sasselov callcompartmentalizationenvironment share on social
It feels great to discover a planet, just like any discovery in science, except that it has more of the feel of exploration - you can go back and look at it. However, I can never visit. Dimitar Sasselov backdiscoverdiscovery Change image and share on social
The question we ask is - if there is life on other planets, should we expect it to be based on the same molecules, i.e. be universal - or should we expect it to depend on the local conditions, i.e. on the planet's geochemistry. So to find out, we try experiments on biomolecules, starting with such geochemistry conditions. Dimitar Sasselov basebiomoleculecondition share on social
It's feasible that we'll meet other sentient life forms and conduct commerce with them. We don't now have the technology to physically travel outside our solar system for such an exchange to take place, but we are like Columbus centuries ago, learning fast how to get somewhere few think possible. Dimitar Sasselov agocenturycolumbus share on social