Effects of UV Light on the Origin of Life

Understanding the origin of life is still a major multidisciplinary challenge. Ultraviolet solar radiation is a fundamental source of energy on the Earth's surface, but has hardly been considered in current research.

The vision of Dr. Kufner's research project “UV LiFE” is to elucidate the role of light in the origin of life. Using a novel photochemical perspective, the aim is to discover how biological functionality and the synthesis of the building blocks of life, such as nucleotides or amino acids, are created using UV light as the driving energy source. To this end, ultra-fast pump-probe spectroscopy combined with prebiotic photochemistry will be used to investigate new reaction pathways and their mechanisms. “UV LiFE” will generate observables, observable physical quantities, for space missions to search for extraterrestrial life. It will also contribute fundamental knowledge for use in photodynamic cancer therapy and UV sterilization against viruses.