lifesimulatoR-book is a companion book to the lifesimulatoR R package.
It provides the theoretical and scientific context behind the package's simulations, covering major origin-of-life theories including molecular evolution, RNA World hypotheses, protocell models, autocatalytic networks, diversity and complexity metrics, and competing frameworks for abiogenesis.
Each chapter follows a consistent structure:
- Scientific theory and background
- Conceptual models and simplifying assumptions
- Computational examples using
lifesimulatoR - Interpretation of simulation results
- Discussion questions and educational exercises
This book explains origin-of-life theories, introduces conceptual models, demonstrates how to explore those models using lifesimulatoR, and provides interpretation guidance for students, instructors, and science communicators.
It is designed for teaching, self-study, workshops, science communication, and exploratory research into the origins of life and the emergence of biological complexity.
install.packages(c("bookdown", "rmarkdown", "knitr", "ggplot2", "remotes"))
remotes::install_github("NoushinN/lifesimulatoR")
bookdown::render_book("index.Rmd")- Origin of Life: Big Questions
- Prebiotic Chemistry and Molecular Pools
- Molecular Evolution
- Mutation and Selection
- Diversity, Entropy, and Complexity
- Protocells and Compartmentalization
- Autocatalytic Networks
- Comparing Origin-of-Life Hypotheses
- Classroom Labs and Activities
- Package Function Reference
MIT License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Noushin Nabavi
If you use this book, please cite:
Nabavi, N. (2026). lifesimulatoR-book: A Companion Book for Teaching Origin-of-Life Concepts with Computational Simulations.
