Episode 3.2 · 17 min

RNA Before Cells

RNA copying, chemical cycles, metabolism, and dividing compartments illuminate possible routes toward the first cells, along with the gaps experiments have yet to close.

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Visual credits

5 sources

Sources and credits for imagery used in this film, including material incorporated into explanatory animations.

PhilHolliger image
X
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Expl2282 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library
IFE, URI-IAO, UW, Lost City Science Party; NOAA/OAR/OER; The Lost City 2005 Expedition.
View original source ↗Source licence: Public domain
Chirality with hands
Original: Unknown Vector: -- πϵρ ήλιο
View original source ↗Source licence: Public domain
Figure 2 from Zhu and Szostak, Coupled Growth and Division of Model Protocell Membranes: repeated micelle-fed growth into thread-like vesicles and agitation-driven division, with microscopy insets and a cycle schematic.
Ting F. Zhu and Jack W. Szostak
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Figure 1: Synthetic cell cycle
Nathaniel J. Gaut, Christopher Deich, Brock Cash, Tanner Hoog, Aaron E. Engelhart and Katarzyna P. Adamala
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Figure or page excerpt cropped from the source publication.

Research references

Selected sources from the episode’s research and scientific figures.

Music

Meditation From The Star Orion
OctahedronMusic · Envato Elements

Footage and image usage

Credits and usage times retained from the published edition or its production credit record. Where present, times identify visual appearances, not documentary chapters. Source and licence corrections are listed in the visual credits above.

X @PhilHolliger - 6:39-6:54, PhilHolliger image
Gaut et al. - 15:28-15:41, Figure 1
IFE, URI-IAO, UW, Lost City Science Party; NOAA/OAR/OER; The Lost City 2005 Expedition. - 9:12-9:35, Flickr - NOAA Photo Library
Original: Unknown Vector: - 11:49-11:57, Chirality with hands
Ting F. Zhu and Jack W. Szostak - 12:49-13:01, NIH image
Custom animations and figures: From Cosmos to Civilization. Third-party material incorporated into animations is credited on the linked sources page.

How this film was made

Created and editorially directed by Anders Lunde using a custom production system developed over six months. AI assists research, drafting, programming, and visual production; I review and edit the material and make the final editorial decisions. Narration uses text-to-speech. Visuals combine custom-built scientific animations, AI-generated reconstructions, and credited scientific imagery.

Generated reconstructions illustrate scientific interpretations. They are distinct from photographs, specimens, and measured data.

More about the creator and production →

Visual credits

PhilHolliger image

Expl2282 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library

Chirality with hands

Figure 2 from Zhu and Szostak, Coupled Growth and Division of Model Protocell Membranes: repeated micelle-fed growth into thread-like vesicles and agitation-driven division, with microscopy insets and a cycle schematic.

Figure 1: Synthetic cell cycle

Research references

Music

How this film was made