Chemistry for Life/Chemistry for Medicine Seminar

What sort of biological activities can emerge from a simple chemical system? During my recent postdoctoral work with Philipp Holliger at the MRC LMB, I developed a molecule of catalytic RNA as a model of a primordial replicator. I will describe how it can build a copy of itself from short building blocks, and the critical support it receives from substrates and reaction environment. I will also show how physicochemical cycles let the RNA establish a primitive form of molecular evolution, in the absence of any components derived from biology. Recapitulating key life processes at the molecular level in this way can inform the development of primordial and synthetic living systems. I’ll discuss my plans to further expand RNA’s capabilities during my research fellowship, by exploring paths to the invention of protein synthesis.