The origins of life - on earth and in the universe

Fundamental knowledge about the origins, evolution and functioning of life in all its myriad forms is essential for answering application-oriented questions on subjects such as the detection and treatment of diseases and the risks to humans, animals and nature from the constant changes in our environment.

Projecten

The impact of material delivery from space, atmospheric conditions, and symbiotic interactions on evolution towards life’s diversity

The early evolution of the Earth resulted in a planet where life could arise and evolve.

The evolution of amino acids in space, genes in the environment, and societal implications

Can building blocks of life be formed in space? Can we predict evolution? Big questions with big implications.

Chiral symmetry breaking by self-assembly

Most molecules essential to life are chiral; they exist in two forms that are each other’s mirror images.

The search for life on icy moons: sampling icy particles originating from Enceladus’ subsurface ocean.

Most oceans in our Solar System lie beneath kilometers of ice on moons orbiting Jupiter and Saturn.

Hunting for asteroids with the James Webb Space Telescope: Solar System science and planetary defence

This project aims at discovering asteroids by mining existing JWST mid-infrared images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Sterrenhemel Live!

Sterrenhemel Live! Meekijken met sterrenkundige waarnemingen aan de andere kant van de wereld.

GeoTdF: Geology of the Tour de France

De Tour de France houdt wekenlang dagelijks 20 miljoen mensen uren aan de buis gekluisterd.

Live, interactief én inclusief: Mobiel Planetarium naar elke school

‘Elk kind verdient een onvergetelijke bèta-ervaring tijdens haar/zijn schoolcarrière.’ Met deze ambitie bezoekt het NOVA Mobiel Planetar

Urban Geology

In de bebouwde omgeving van Nederland werd en wordt op grote schaal natuursteen gebruikt.

The limits to growth: the challenge to dissipate energy

Growth of cells is inherently connected with the origin of life.

PRELIFE - Pathways, Reactions, and Environments leading to LIFE: An interdisciplinary approach.

The origin or emergence of life on Earth is a widely studied scientific problem.

We cover these questions

Welke vragen hopen we met dit project te beantwoorden? Deze vragen zijn gegroepeerd in de volgende clustervragen.