They are specifically attempting to understand "self-assembly" of simple molecules. This includes studying how amino acids and nucleotides "behave" in different chemical environments. How do they separate themselves from the rest of the universe? What are the minimal components of a proto-cell? Is there a sharp divide between simple replicating chemistry and the first proto-cells? Or is this a gradual emergence over time, and what chemicals act as catalysts towards compartmentalization of amino acids/nucleotides from their surrounding environment. Because - we think - you need compartmentalization in order to get natural selection (i.e., Darwinian evolution). Once you have the compartmentalization, you can then have competition between different isolated islands of specified complexity (i.e., ordered molecules). If you start watching this lecture around 20:00 mark, that may be helpful to understanding abiogenesis research.Can you go a bit deeper into how he / the scientific community is attempting to find this "holy grail"?