SKM 2023 – wissenschaftliches Programm
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 10: Evolution and Origin of Life
BP 10.6: Vortrag
Dienstag, 28. März 2023, 11:15–11:30, BAR 0106
Heat flows drive ionic and pH gradients — •Thomas Matreux1, Almuth Schmid1, Paula Aikkila1, Kristian Le Vay2, Johannes Raith3, Bernhard Altaner3, Bettina Scheu4, Ulrich Gerland3, Hannes Mutschler2, Dieter Braun1, and Christof B. Mast1 — 1Systems Biophysics, LMU Munich, Germany — 2Biomimetic systems, TU Dortmund, Germany — 3Physics of Complex Biosystems, TU Munich, Germany — 4Earth and Environmental Sciences, LMU Munich, Germany
The first steps in the emergence of life on Earth occurred on rocks and their constituent phases with a feedstock of simple molecules. Our aim is to combine this background with physical non-equilibria such as thermal gradients, offering unique opportunities for molecular selection on all levels.
In this scenario, ions leached from mineral samples are selectively accumulated by heat flows through water-filled fractures. In contrast to up-concentration by dehydration or freezing, this actively alters the Magnesium:Sodium ratio to an extent that permits key ribozyme activities.
Simple mixtures of formic acid and sodium hydroxide, exposed to thermal gradients, drive pH gradients which can be understood and predicted by a separation of timescales. Such proton gradients can locally acid-dissolve Apatite, a presumably abundant phosphate mineral that is close to insoluble at physiological pH. By thermal fractionation, significant concentrations of phosphate are provided at neutral pH.