The Genesis Project On The Origin Of Life Becomes A National Centre Of Competence In Research

The Federal Council has approved funding for the “Genesis” project on the origins of life, led by ETH Zurich in collaboration with the University of Lausanne. Genesis is one of six new National Centers of Competence in Research (NCCRs).

How did life emerge on Earth? Is there life elsewhere in the universe? The origin of life remains a complex puzzle: while the first chemical building blocks are known, how these combine to form functioning cells is still unresolved.

The large-scale multidisciplinary research project Genesis, led by ETH Zurich, in collaboration with the University of Lausnne, will address this mystery. It is one of six newly approved National Centers of Competence in Research (NCCRs) whose funding has been approved by the Swiss Federal Council.

The project :

The National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) “Genesis” is led by ETH Zurich physicist and Nobel Laureate Didier Queloz, in collaboration with Johanna Marin Carbonne, a geologist and professor at the University of Lausanne. At the heart of the project are three central questions:

• How do simple molecules evolve into living systems?
• What conditions foster biological development, and how does life shape its environment?
• How can we identify places that might enable life?

The two host institutions together with 23 research groups aim to address these questions through novel interdisciplinary collaboration in Switzerland. In recent years, this topic has shifted from speculative debate to a concrete research field, driven by the discovery of exoplanets and advances in biochemistry and Earth sciences. New planetary discoveries invite us to reconsider Earth’s role in the universe and to imagine life under a wide range of environmental conditions.

“Bringing geosciences together with exoplanet studies, chemistry and biology creates a new synergy that will allow us to tackle these fundamental research questions, while also training the next generation of scientists,” says Johanna Marin Carbonne. “I’m looking forward to working with so many outstanding researchers to address one of humanity’s most fascinating questions.”

The next decade could be decisive in our understanding of youthe conditions and mechanisms that enable life to emerge. This effort goes beyond scientific discovery: it aims to enhance Switzerland’s position as a leading research hub, foster scientific careers and engage the public in this fundamental field of inquiry.

Developing reliable methods to detect reliable traces of life (biosignatures) – whether through remote sensing or direct onsite measurements – requires significant innovation. These challenges demand close collaboration across physics, biology, chemistry and Earth sciences.

NCCR “Genesis” does not aim to provide answers in all fields, but to drive innovative research and achieve decisive progress. It will create new infrastructures, build partnerships with industry, train young researchers, and establish a strong national network. Building on existing centres, “Genesis” will unite research institutes across Switzerland. This will ensure that Switzerland remains at the forefront of exploring the universe’s greatest mysteries.

Facts and figures

Total funding (2026–2029): CHF 37.94 million
Federal funding (2026–2029): CHF 16.99 million
Host institutions: ETH Zurich, University of Lausanne
Director: Prof. Didier Queloz, ETH Zurich | [email protected]
Co-Director: Prof. Johanna Marin Carbonne, University of Lausanne
Deputy Director: Prof. Derek Vance, ETH Zurich
Deputy Co-Director: Prof. Allison Daley, University of Lausanne

Host institutions (number of groups)

• ETH Zurich (8)
• University of Lausanne (4)

Network (number of groups)

• Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) (1)
• University of Geneva (3)
• University of Bern (4)
• EPFL (2)
• Istituto Ricerche Solari Locarno (IRSOL), Università della Svizzera italiana (1)

NCCRs are a long-term funding instrument. They create the conditions necessary for researchers in Switzerland to establish the teaching and research structures required for new areas of research and to network on a national scale. These research networks are led by one or two host institutions, which themselves contribute their own funds.

Six new National Centres of Competence in Research strengthen Swiss cutting-edge research in strategically important areas, State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI

Astrobiology