Tootfinder

Spatial Patterning and Selection: How the Environment Shapes Molecular Complexity
Alexandre Champagne-Ruel, Christopher P. Kempes, Cole Mathis
https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.04547 h…

Spatial Patterning and Selection: How the Environment Shapes Molecular Complexity
Assembly theory predicts that a distinguishing signature of life is its ability to produce complex molecules in abundance, opening new possibilities for life detection. Experimental validation of this approach has so far relied on abiotic controls like meteoritic material, or simple, well-mixed chemical systems. However, decades of research in self-organization have shown that spatial patterning can foster dynamical self-organization. This raises the possibility that systems with nontrivial spa…