The Faraday discussion meeting aims to address the cyclic role of dust in the chemicalevolution of the Universe, from its synthesis in aged and dying stars, through its role inthe gas-grain interaction in increasingly dense environments in the interstellar medium(ISM) through to grain-grain collisions and the first steps in the construction of new stars and planetary systems. The scientific programme will bring together leading computational and experimental scientists working to unlock the secrets of the gasgraininteraction with astronomers engaged in observing and understanding star andplanet formation and the role of icy dust grains in these processes and potentially chemists and biologists seeking to understand the first tentative steps toward life on our own planet and others