Marco Bersanelli, Full Professor of Astrophysics, Department of Physics, University of Milan; Giorgio Dieci, Full Professor of Molecular Biology, University of Parma. Moderated by Paola Platania, Researcher at the Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, CNR, Milan.

The word “nature” refers, in its etymology, to being generated, to birth and sprouting. By studying the phenomenon of life, scientific inquiry has revealed surprising scenarios in which the mutual recognition between finely constructed macromolecules allows for the emergence of signs and meanings in the universe. Quantitatively almost insignificant, the living component appears, at first glance, irrelevant in the cosmic framework. On the other hand, the entire history of the universe – from the formation of structures to stellar evolution and planetary formation – with the contribution of all fundamental forces, is an integral part of the conditions for the awakening of a living nature, until it becomes conscious of itself.