How did life emerge on Earth? Is there life elsewhere 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?
The two host institutions, ETH Zurich and University of Lausanne, together with 37 Principal Investigators and Co-Investigators and their research groups from the Universities of Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Neuchâtel, the Università della Svizzera italiana, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, the EPFL and the Paul Scherrer Institute aim to address these questions through novel interdisciplinary collaboration in Switzerland. In recent years, this topic has shifted from speculative debate to a concrete research field, driven by the discovery of exoplanets and advances in biochemistry and Earth sciences. New planetary discoveries invite us to reconsider Earth’s role in the universe and to imagine life under a wide range of environmental conditions. The next decade could be decisive in our understanding of the conditions and mechanisms that enable life to emerge. This effort goes beyond scientific discovery: it aims to enhance Switzerland’s position as a leading research hub, foster scientific careers and engage the public in this fundamental field of inquiry. Developing reliable methods to detect reliable traces of life (biosignatures) – whether through remote sensing or direct onsite measurements – requires significant innovation. These challenges demand close collaboration across physics, biology, chemistry and Earth sciences. NCCR “Genesis” does not aim to provide answers in all fields, but to drive innovative research and achieve decisive progress. It will create new infrastructures, build partnerships with industry, train young researchers, and establish a strong national network. Building on existing centres, “Genesis” will unite research institutes across Switzerland. This will ensure that Switzerland remains at the forefront of exploring the universe’s greatest mysteries.
