Assembly theory

Assembly theory is a framework developed to quantify the complexity of molecules and objects by assessing the minimal number of steps required to assemble them from fundamental building blocks. Proposed by chemist Lee Cronin and his team, the theory assigns an assembly index to molecules, which serves as a measurable indicator of their structural complexity. Cronin and colleagues argue that this approach allows for experimental verification and has applications in understanding selection processes, evolution, and the identification of biosignatures in astrobiology. However, the usefulness of the approach has been disputed.