Conferences

The Origins Center connects researchers from various Dutch universities and knowledge institutes with each other and with the international network of the Origins Center.

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Origins Center 2026 Conference

18 - 20 May 2026
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Origins Center 2023 Conference - Programme

11 - 12 April 2023
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Origins Center 2023 Conference

11 - 12 April 2023

The origin and nature of life, as well as its presence beyond planet Earth, are questions that fascinate the general public and inspire scientists from many disciplines. At the Origins 2023 Conference: from exoplanets to ecosystems, we address these and other questions in an energising science event. Will you be there?

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Webinar: Jim Cleaves

14 December 202116.00 hours, online
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Webinar: Michael Russell

9 November 202116.00 hours, online

All the constituents for life’s emergence were there, at a submarine alkaline vent, about 4.4 billion years ago.

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Webinar: David Deamer

12 October 202116.00 hours (CET), online

Prof. Deamer will describe how mixtures of certain organic compounds present on the early Earth can assemble into systems of encapsulated polymers referred to as protocells.

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Webinar: Daniel Needleman

8 June 2021Online, 16.00 hours

The spindle, the self-organizing structure that segregates chromosomes during cell division, shows remarkable diversity between species. I will present work in which we aim to integrate mechanistic and evolutionary studies of spindles.

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Webinar: Paola Caselli

11 May 2021Online, 16.00 hours

Our Solar System was born from a dark and cold cloud made out of molecular gas and small dust particles. Thanks to powerful telescopes, we can now study in detail these clouds, their chemical ingredients and their evolution.

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Webinar: Dieter Braun

13 April 2021Online, 16.00h

How can we derive answers to the question of the origin of life? Instead of simply collecting facts, biological systems can now be directly tested by synthetically reconstructing them.

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Webinar: Betül Kaçar

2 March 2021Online, 16.00h

In this talk, Betül will survey her group’s efforts in towards establishing a molecular paleobiology approach. She will further discuss how exploring the early evolution of ancient biomolecules, protein-cofactor interaction interfaces and metallosystems contribute to our understanding of origins and first life on Earth.

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Webinar: Eörs Szathmáry

2 February 2021Online, 16.00h

His main interest is theoretical evolutionary biology and focuses on the common principles of the major steps in evolution, such as the origin of life, the emergence of cells, and the origin of animal societies.

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Webinar: Kate Adamala

5 January 2021Online, 16.00h

Her research on prebiotic RNA replication provided an experimental scenario for the RNA world hypothesis of the origin of life. She has worked on constructing liposome bioreactor synthetic cells.

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Webinar: Jef Huisman

8 December 2020Online, 16.00 hours

Vibrational modes of water predict spectral niches for photosynthesis in lakes and oceans. Webinar by Jef Huisman, professor Aquatic Microbiology, University of Amsterdam (UvA)

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Webinar: Charles Cockell

10 November 2020Online, 16.00 hours

Exploring microbial interactions with rocks on the International Space Station - Charles Cockell, professor of Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh

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Session 5: Emergence and bridging of temporal and spatial scales

31 August - 1 September 2017

Some 180 participants enjoyed two days of stimulating presentations and discussions. During a speed-date, they got to know a few total strangers and during the poster sessions, many more participants were able to present their own work.

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Session 4: Life in extraterrestrial environments

31 August - 1 September 2017

Some 180 participants enjoyed two days of stimulating presentations and discussions. During a speed-date, they got to know a few total strangers and during the poster sessions, many more participants were able to present their own work.

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Session 3: Building and directing life from molecule to biosphere

31 August - 1 September 2017

Some 180 participants enjoyed two days of stimulating presentations and discussions. During a speed-date, they got to know a few total strangers and during the poster sessions, many more participants were able to present their own work.

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Session 2: Predicting the evolution of Life

31 August - 1 September 2017

Some 180 participants enjoyed two days of stimulating presentations and discussions. During a speed-date, they got to know a few total strangers and during the poster sessions, many more participants were able to present their own work.

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Session 1: Origin of the Earth and of Life

31 August - 1 September 2017

Some 180 participants enjoyed two days of stimulating presentations and discussions. During a speed-date, they got to know a few total strangers and during the poster sessions, many more participants were able to present their own work.

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Keynote lectures

31 August - 1 September 2017

Some 180 participants enjoyed two days of stimulating presentations and discussions. During a speed-date, they got to know a few total strangers and during the poster sessions, many more participants were able to present their own work.

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Origins 2017 Symposium

31 August - 1 September 2017University of Groningen

Some 180 participants enjoyed two days of stimulating presentations and discussions. During a speed-date, they got to know a few total strangers and during the poster sessions, many more participants were able to present their own work.

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Origins 2021 Online Conference

27 - 28 January 2021

The origin and nature of life, as well as its presence beyond planet Earth, are questions that fascinate the general public and inspire scientists from many disciplines. At the Origins 2021 Online Conference: from exoplanets to ecosystems, we address these and other questions in an energizing online science event. Will you be there?

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