# Searching for Life-As-We-Don't-Know-It: Mission-relevant Application of Assembly Theory for Exoplanet Life Detection

Source: [Searching for Life-As-We-Don't-Know-It: Mission-relevant Application of Assembly Theory for Exoplanet Life Detection](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/69b39a0a0636e5bf4afbca58>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2026-04-08T05:00:12.103Z

Authors: Sara Walker, Estelle Janin, Evgenya Shkolnik, Louie Slocombe, Leroy Cronin

Published: 2026-03-11T04:26:47.000Z

## Abstract

This white paper introduces a framework for applying Assembly Theory (AT) to planetary atmospheres as a biosignature framework suitable for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). AT quantifies the minimum combinatorial complexity required to co-construct an observed ensemble of molecular species, providing a measure of how much selection and evolution is encoded in a planetary atmosphere's chemical space, without assuming any specific biochemistry, kinetics nor metabolism. We outline some forthcoming results applying this framework and how it can be extended to population-level exoplanet studies, validated against existing spectroscopic data, and used to directly inform HWO instrumental requirements. Rather than imposing a binary alive/dead classification, AT-based atmospheric analysis would provide a continuous measure of planetary complexity, opening a path toward detecting life-as-we-don't-know-it.

## Recorded benchmark results

A research result applies to its stated dataset, split, metric and evaluation configuration. Compare like-for-like settings, preserve the metric's unit and direction, and distinguish paper-reported results from independent reproduction. The best result recorded here is not a claim of exhaustive, current global coverage.

## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.11086>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/2603.11086.pdf>)