[M.D. Holloway]

R. Bruce Merrifield, a Noble Prize winning scientist developed an ingenious method for assembling proteins. He perfected a technique called solid phase peptide synthesis. The old methods were thought that proteins were assembled in situ but it proved almost impossible. He did it differently - using a solid phase not liquid media.

I raise this point because I am a firm believer that protein synthesis (and eventual liquid crystal synthesis which then leads to self assembling / replicating molecules) occurs on the surface of solids (clays) rather than an ocean, solution or soup.

As a side note, we know very little about the small life forms found in soil. In fact, the rain forests are void or bacteria in the dirt compared to the tundra which is rich in microbes. We know nothing about the lil critters deep down. Deep dpwn is where life began. Maybe if we look there and try to understand proto-life forms like virus and super-virus will we begin to understand the origins of life.