How the Krebs cycle powers life and death – with Nick Lane

I studied the Krebs cycle at Brown Univ. in 1960 in the Unicelluar Biology course, which in retrospect was largely devoted to memorizing complex chemical reactions, with very little real understanding of their purpose. Of course, a lifetime of science since then has improved upon our earlier understanding of the cycle. Prof. Lane in this short video not only explains the Krebs cycle with beautiful clarity, but then relates it to my later interest, evolutionary biology, and the anaerobic processes that pioneered the cyclical chemical reactions that made oxygen-based life possible. This video ought to be a mandatory introduction to biochemical processes for biology students to aid in the integration of organic chemistry with life processes and to illustrate the necessity of integrating multi-disciplinary research. Many thanks, Prof. Lane, in simplifying the highly complex workings of the Krebs cycle and its extensive applications.

As a sense of how I feel about him and his articulation of microbiology, read his past books but also got audible and book Transformer. I have gone through that material twice, amazed how much new thoughts in rereading, third time will likely be the same. Yet I also found this lecture to be incredible, he takes science to the realm of philosophy of life, but in context of science. His reference to past scientists is appreciated, and he does so in a humble way, never bragging about himself. Bill Gates endorsement of Nick Lane being one of his favorite authors is deserved. I try to read technical journals to the extent I am able to get past the enormous complexity and vocabulary, but Lane gives me a shot of understanding them. Great video, great man.

Thrilling: my hair actually stood on end at times (What made it do that?) Nick Lane is a master of the art of making science both intriguing and relevant to the likes of me, a person of great age and little education. I haven’t so enjoyed the feeling of having my eyes opened since I first felt a draw toward science inspired by Lewis Thomas’s Lives Of A Cell back in the ‘70s. He was able then to give me a sense of place in the universe, the comfort that comes with increased understanding, and the excitement caused by an inkling of how little I know — just as Nick Lane does now. How can life be boring when there is so much more to discover? As Merlin said to Wart: “… You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn.” How interesting the mechanisms that are causing the trembling in my anatomies!

Nick Lane’s such a wonderful thinker and communicator. Really recommend his books. Had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times, and he’s just the loveliest person.

I LOVE that all this information is available to the public and those interested in learning! And not only available to those attending University! And SO GRATEFUL for professors such as this who understands it and can bring it to the public! ❤🙏❤

Absolutely brilliant, and a must for any student studying biochemistry. I was particularly fascinated with the involvement of the Krebs Cycle in the evolution of early life, and the Cambrian Explosion.

I studied the Krebs cycle almost 50 years ago under James Alan Bassham, and I still remember all the basics and can even still recite all the tricarboxylic acids in their proper order. I've never used it on the job, but it always fascinated me. Thank you for an up to date re-introduction. You re-introduced me to an old friend!

As an interested layman who has always read text books in biology, geology and their subfields for the last 50 years, this was effing exciting! So many concepts nudged closer together. Wow. Simply wow.

This is mind blowing to me. So many new and amazing things to think about! I have not studied this level of biology before, and I am blown away by the intricacy of life.

Took a while for me to understand what he was getting at, but once I did, it truly changed my perspective on what life even is. Pretty powerful stuff

I only have a rudimentary understanding of biochemistry but still find Nick Lane immensely inspirational, such is the quality of his teaching - it's science at its best!

A Nick Lane talk is never boring.

i’m 46 an engineer and physicist, this all finally brought everything together.

I'am a med student and i found this lecture to be very beneficial..thanks to the RI for sharing this amazing content for free

It's a pity I cannot upvote this more than once. What a marvelous lecture!

His book "The Vital Question" is still one of the best concerning abiogenesis, mitochondria, deep sea vents, biochemistry etc... Definitely one of the classics...and I know that a lot of people highly recommend "The Vital Question"...

Think the Krebs cycle is boring? Think again! You can watch the Q&A for this talk here: https://youtu.be/UqsqJM8g604

The Krebs (Citric Acid) Cycle was the most fascinating thing I learned in college biochemistry. It pretty much cemented my path into the medical world. Thanks for the "blast in the past".

Seems we are inching or micrometering closer and closer to understanding the origins and workings of life. Great lecture Nick. Thanks.

Always love to hear from Nick Lane. His books and publications are essential reading for me. Is there a Q&a video?