From 26 to 28 October 2026, the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) is hosting the Origin of Life Meeting, a three-day scientific gathering organised within the framework of the ERC Synergy project PROTOS (Grant Agreement No. 101118811), «The Role of Silica in the Dawn of Life on Our Planet».
Led by Prof. Juan Manuel García-Ruiz, Ikerbasque Research Professor at DIPC and Principal Investigator of PROTOS, the meeting brings together researchers from different scientific disciplines and institutions to exchange perspectives, discuss fundamental questions, and explore new avenues of collaboration in origin-of-life research.
The first day will introduce the newly established Mineral Self-Organization and Origin of Life research group at DIPC, led by Prof. García-Ruiz, highlighting its scientific objectives, ongoing projects, and developing experimental infrastructure. Particular attention will be devoted to PROTOS, which investigates the potential role of silica and mineral environments in the emergence of life on early Earth. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the group’s new laboratory facilities and experimental approaches.
The second day will focus on interdisciplinary scientific discussions, bringing together researchers from the Basque scientific ecosystem and invited experts working on different aspects of life’s origins. Topics will include the boundary between living and non-living systems, artificial life and colloidal systems chemistry, prebiotic and precellular evolution, and the role of chirality in early biological processes. Rather than conventional presentations, these sessions are designed to encourage open dialogue, critical discussion, and the exchange of scientific ideas. A dedicated session will also provide postdoctoral researchers with an opportunity to present their ongoing investigations and research findings.
The meeting will conclude on Wednesday, 28 October, with two scientific lectures open to the wider research community, delivered by:
11:00 – Prof. Juli Peretó (University of Valencia / I2SysBio, Spain)
The Imperfect Road to Metabolism: From Protometabolism to LUCA
This lecture will explore how prebiotic chemistry may have evolved into the metabolic networks of early living systems, highlighting the role of chemical contingency and catalytic imperfection in metabolic innovation.
12:00 – Prof. Antonio Lazcano Araujo (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico)
Prebiotic Chemistry and the Origin of Life: The Miller Experiment
This lecture will revisit Stanley Miller’s landmark 1953 experiment, exploring its scientific significance, historical context, and lasting influence on the development of origin-of-life research.
Both lectures will take place at the Faculty of Chemistry Auditorium, University of the Basque Country (EHU), Donostia–San Sebastián.
By connecting experimental, theoretical, and interdisciplinary approaches, the Origin of Life Meeting aims to stimulate scientific exchange, strengthen collaborations, and contribute to a deeper understanding of one of science’s most fundamental questions: how life emerged on our planet.
