ETH Zurich and the University of Lausanne, together with other universities and research institutions across Switzerland, have joined forces to address one of science’s most fundamental questions: how does life emerge in the Universe? The origin of life remains a complex puzzle: while the first chemical building blocks are known, how these combine to form functioning cells is still unresolved. At the heart of the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Genesis are three central questions: How do simple molecules evolve into living systems? What conditions foster biological development, and how does life shape its environment? How can we identify places that might enable life? Driven by breakthroughs in exoplanet discovery, biochemistry, and Earth sciences, this field has evolved from speculation into a rigorous scientific discipline, prompting us to reconsider Earth’s place in the cosmos and explore the possibility of life under a vast range of environmental conditions.
NCCR Genesis offers a transformative interdisciplinary approach that brings together physics, chemistry, biology, and Earth sciences to investigate the conditions and mechanisms that enable life to arise, evolve, and persist. A central objective will be the development of robust biosignatures and innovative methods to detect them, whether through remote observations of distant worlds or direct in situ measurements.
Beyond advancing scientific knowledge, Genesis will establish new research infrastructures, foster strategic partnerships, train the next generation of scientists, and strengthen Switzerland’s position as a global leader in this rapidly emerging field. Through outreach and public engagement, it will also invite society to participate in one of humanity’s most profound scientific endeavours: understanding our origins and our place in the Universe.