metrology Archives - Astrobiology

A) Molecular assembly index (MA) and assembly paths for amino acids asparagine (MA = 7) and tryptophan (MA = 12), and the important energy carrier adenosine triphosphate (MA = 21) with hydrogens and charges omitted for clarity. B) Distributions of MA values estimated from diverse samples in the parent mass range of 300 – 500 m/z determined using mass spectrometry. The biological samples exhibit a wider distribution, showing only biologically produced samples produce MA above a threshold value empirically determined for the aqueous organic chemistry studied of MA ~ 15. Figure adopted from Marshall et al. -- q-bio.BM

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

Metrology of Complexity and Implications for the Study of the Emergence of Life

by Keith CowingMarch 5, 2026March 5, 2026

One of the longest standing open problems in science is how life arises from non-living matter.