All articles tagged with #rna replication
Scientists from UCL have made progress in replicating RNA in laboratory conditions similar to early Earth by preventing the RNA double helix from zipping together, providing insights into how the first living organisms might have formed during the Earth's ancient 'RNA World' era. Although they have only achieved partial replication so far, this research marks a significant step toward understanding the origins of life.
A study explores the role of small-molecule autocatalysis in driving compartment growth, competition, and reproduction. The researchers investigate the dynamics of transient compartmentalization and its implications for the origin of life. They demonstrate the self-reproduction of supramolecular giant vesicles and the amplification of encapsulated DNA, highlighting the potential of autocatalytic systems as models for prebiotic structures. The findings shed light on the emergence of early replicators and provide insights into the evolution of life before genes.