ProToPolym

Protoproteins derived from novel prebiotic approaches including N-carboxyanhydride ring opening

ProToPolym is a frontier research project exploring how the first protein-like polymers could have emerged on early Earth.  It brings together chemists and materials scientists from 3 different labs to understand how the very first protein-like molecules could form naturally in water. This is a challenge because water, while essential for life, also tends to break complex molecules apart.

ProToPolym looks for simple and realistic chemical pathways in prebiotic chemistry that could overcome this contradiction. At the heart of the project is a new way to make protein building blocks without harsh conditions or toxic chemicals. Instead of forcing reactions, the project team studies how molecules can organize and react spontaneously.
A key idea is the use of tiny liquid droplets, called coacervates, which act like natural micro-reactors. These droplets concentrate molecules and make chemical reactions easier and faster.

By learning from nature’s earliest chemistry, the project connects fundamental science with future technologies. Beyond understanding our origins, ProToPolym opens new paths for more sustainable chemistry. If succesfull, its discoveries could inspire cleaner ways to manufacture peptides and biomaterials. ProToPolym will aim at showing how complex systems can emerge from simple ingredients—starting with water and time.