Looking for the Laws of Life
Looking for the Laws of Life
Life. Some scientists are searching the cosmos for habitable cradles of it, others are combing Earth for exotic forms of it, while others still are on the verge of creating it in the lab. The forms life could take seem endless — at least in theory. But are there universal laws of life, much like the fundamental laws of physics, which govern or limit the characteristics that make it — in any form — possible? Join John Hockenberry for a vibrant discussion with leading astrobiologists Paul Davies, Steven Benner and Maggie Turnbull as they look at life through the lens of chemistry and physics in search of life as we don’t know it.
This event is now sold out, however additional tickets may become available at the door, half an hour before the event, on a first come, first served basis.
The World Science Festival is gratified by the overwhelming demand for tickets to the Festival's programs. For an early alert regarding tickets for the 2009 World Science Festival and information about programming planned for the coming year, please sign-up for our e-mail list here.
Tickets: $17.00
Student Tickets: $12.00
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Steven Benner
Steven Benner is one of the pioneers of synthetic biology, which seeks to create artificial living systems. He is a Distinguished Fellow at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution in Gainesville, Florida and a founder of the Westheimer Institute for Science.
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Paul Davies
Paul Davies is a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrobiologist, and author of numerous books about science for a general audience. His research ranges from the origin of the universe to the origin of life. Davies is the director of the BEYOND Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University.
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John Hockenberry
- Moderator
John Hockenberry is an award-winning journalist with twenty-five years experience in radio, broadcast television and print. He is co-host of WNYC and PRI's The Takeaway with John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji, host on The DNA Files, and a contributor to The Infinite Mind. He is also a Distinguished Fellow at the MIT Media Lab.
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Maggie Turnbull
Margaret Turnbull leads the science team of the NASA New Worlds Observer mission looking for Earth-like planets and signs of alien life. She is an astrobiologist at the Global Science Institute in Wisconsin.
