Darwin Day 2017 to Explore the Vital Question About Life

A renowned global expert in evolutionary biochemistry and bioenergetics will address one of life’s most vital questions at Duquesne’s upcoming Darwin Day 2017 lecture.

“Bacteria evolved into complex life just once in four billion years of life on earth, and all complex life shares many strange properties, from reproduction to aging and death,” said Nick Lane, professor of evolutionary biochemistry at the University College London. “But was bacterial evolution the first attempt at life or did previous efforts fail? And if life evolved on other planets, would it be the same or completely different from that of life on Earth?”

Lane will delve deep into these thoughts during The Vital Question: Why Is Life the Way It Is?, this year’s Darwin Day lecture, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Power Center Ballroom.

Also recognized for his research focused on the origin of life and the evolution of eukaryotes, Lane is the author of popular science books and articles. He is the recipient of the 2015 Biochemical Society Award and the 2016 Michael Faraday Prize from Royal Society of London for excellence in communicating science to audiences in the United Kingdom.

Duquesne’s Darwin Day lecture is part of a variety of worldwide events honoring the life and work of Charles Darwin, biologist, scientist and the founding father of evolutionary theory. The event also highlights the importance of science education by featuring presentations by evolutionary experts that anyone can attend.

Darwin Day 2017 is sponsored by the dean’s office of the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences.

The event is free and open to the public, with a reception to follow. Visit www.duq.edu/darwin for more information.