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What is Life? The Blueprint of a Complex World Unraveled by "Assembly Theory"

pulserman

"What is life?" Scientists have continued to challenge this fundamental question from various angles. DNA containing genetic information, the structure of cells, the ability to self-replicate... However, the current reality is that it is difficult to draw a clear boundary.

Amidst this, "Assembly Theory" a new way of thinking, is attempting to provide an innovative perspective on life, non-life, and how complex things come into being.

In this article, we will introduce this Assembly Theory as clearly as possible, incorporating the latest research.

What is Assembly Theory?

To describe Assembly Theory in a nutshell, it is a theory that attempts to quantify "how many parts were assembled in a specific order to create a complex object."

One of its proponents, Professor Lee Cronin of the University of Glasgow in the UK, proposed the "Molecular Assembly Index (MA)" as a new metric to measure the complexity of molecules.

Suppose you have a lot of Lego bricks on hand.

  • Simple things: If you just connect two of the same bricks, the assembly index is small. It doesn't take much effort to make.

  • Complex things: An elaborate spaceship made by assembling many types of bricks according to a blueprint over dozens of steps will have a large assembly index. It requires many "assembly steps" to complete.

Assembly Theory focuses on this "number of assembly steps." The minimum number of bonding steps required for a molecule to be generated from simpler components is defined as the Assembly Index (MA). The larger the MA, the more "complex" and "unlikely to occur by chance" the molecule is considered to be.

A new yardstick for "lifelikeness" shown by the latest research

The interesting thing about Assembly Theory is that the assembly index of molecules can be measured experimentally. The research team developed a method to estimate the assembly index from the fragmentation patterns of molecules by breaking them apart using a technique called mass spectrometry.

In a recently published study, this assembly index was used to analyze various samples on Earth (those derived from life, those not derived from life, complex organic molecules created in a laboratory, etc.). As a result, a surprising trend emerged.

  • Molecules derived from life tend to have a high assembly index: For example, molecules essential for life activities, such as proteins and DNA, clearly showed a high assembly index. Because these are made by "assembly lines" refined through the process of evolution, they are complex both structurally and generationally.

  • Molecules not derived from life tend to have a low assembly index: On the other hand, organic matter contained in meteorites and molecules created by simple chemical reactions remained at relatively low assembly index values.

In other words, it was suggested that by whether the assembly index exceeds a certain threshold, it is possible to distinguish whether the substance was produced as a result of life activity or if it is a product of chance. This could also be a very powerful tool in the search for extraterrestrial life. If we analyze soil from Mars or ejecta from Saturn's moon Enceladus and find molecules with a high assembly index, it could be strong evidence for the existence of life.

The future of Assembly Theory: From the origin of life to drug discovery

Assembly Theory is still a developing theory, but its potential is limitless.

  • Elucidating the origin of life: How were complex life systems "assembled" from simple molecules on the primordial Earth? Assembly Theory may provide new clues to understanding that process.

  • Development of new substances and drugs: Assembly Theory may be applicable as a blueprint for efficiently "assembling" complex molecules with desired functions. Contributions in the fields of drug discovery and materials science are also expected.

  • Fusion with Artificial Intelligence (AI): Combining this with AI technology will likely be extremely effective for exploring complex molecular structures and generation pathways.

Of course, there are challenges. Further improvements in technology to accurately and rapidly measure assembly numbers are necessary, and not all life phenomena can be explained by assembly numbers alone. However, the perspective of 'assembly history' that this theory possesses may reveal something that science has overlooked until now.

A New Perspective on Challenging the Mystery of Complexity

Assembly theory approaches the grand mystery of what life is and how complex things are born from the unique angle of 'number of assembly steps.' Like Lego blocks, the world is made by combining various parts. I cannot take my eyes off the future developments of assembly theory as it attempts to decipher the blueprints and history of that assembly.

It is exciting to imagine a future where this theory might one day become a clue to discovering extraterrestrial life, or lead to the creation of new medicines and useful materials.
Although it is still in its early stages, I would definitely like to keep an eye on future research.

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