Origin of Life on Earth: How It Happened | Nick Lane

How did life begin on Earth? In this program, biochemist Nick Lane explores the origins of life, examining the chemical and biological processes that transformed a lifeless planet into one teeming with complexity.

Lane, a biochemist at University College London (UCL) and acclaimed author of Transformer, The Vital Question, and other influential works on biology and chemistry, draws on cutting-edge research to explain how energy, metabolism, and molecular structures may have given rise to the first living systems. From deep-sea hydrothermal vents to the emergence of cellular life, this discussion sheds light on one of science’s greatest mysteries.

Combining rigorous science with clear explanation, this exploration offers a compelling look at how life may have emerged—and what it reveals about life elsewhere in the universe.