Project description
How visible light may have sparked life on Earth
For decades, scientists have believed that ultraviolet (UV) light was the main driver of the chemical reactions that gave rise to life. But UV light, while energetic, can also destroy the very molecules it helps create. In this context, the ERC-funded BEYOND project aims to explore whether visible light could have powered the formation of life’s first building blocks. Researchers will design and test new photocatalysts that trigger key prebiotic reactions such as polymerisation and redox processes under visible light. By comparing these results with UV-driven chemistry, BEYOND will determine whether sunlight’s softer side played a vital role in life’s earliest beginnings.
Objective
This proposal aims to uncover the role of visible light in driving prebiotic chemical reactions, with a focus on polymerizations and redox processes using prebiotically relevant photocatalysts. While UV light has traditionally been emphasized in prebiotic chemistry for its high energy and efficient bond-breaking properties, it can also degrade advanced organic material, presenting a central paradox in prebiotic chemistry. In contrast, visible light, when paired with photocatalysts, may drive important chemical transformations without the need for the protective mechanisms associated with UV chemistry.
The project involves synthesizing a diverse range of photocatalysts to generate a computational model capable of predicting their photoredox properties. These molecules will then be investigated as photocatalysts in selected prebiotic reactions. Additionally, I will investigate key steps of a proposed prebiotic synthesis of key redox-active molecules can be initiated by visible light photoredox catalysis. Lastly, visible light-driven reactions will be benchmarked against established UV light-initiated processes to determine whether visible light can drive similar or complementary chemistry.
By completing these objectives, I will provide examples of visible-light photocatalysis in prebiotic chemistry. This will impact our understanding of how visible light contributed to the formation of life’s building blocks, offering alternative pathways to prebiotic molecule accumulation and broadening our understanding of early chemical reaction networks.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.