On the role of α-alumina in the origin of life: Surface-driven assembly of amino acids

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adt4151
• Publication Date: 2025-04-11T17:59:46Z
• Authors: Ruiyu Wang; Richard C. Remsing; Michael L. Klein; Eric Borguet; Vincenzo Carnevale

We investigate the hypothesis that mineral/water interfaces played a crucial catalytic role in peptide formation by promoting self-assembly of amino acids. Using classical molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate α-alumina(0001) surface exhibits an affinity 4 k B T for individual glycine or GG dipeptide molecules due to hydrogen bonds. In simulations with multiple molecules, surface-bound enhances further adsorption, leading long chains connected bonds between carboxyl and amine groups molecules. find likelihood observing longer than 10 units increases at least five orders magnitude compared bulk. This surface-driven assembly is primarily local high density alignment alumina pattern. Together, these results propose model how mineral surfaces can induce configuration-specific acids, thereby condensation reactions.