Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Errors and alternatives in prebiotic replication and catalysis.

Jacques Ninio1

  • 1Laboratoire de Physique Statistique, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 24 rue Lhomond, F-75231 Paris Cedex 05. jacques.ninio@lps.ens.fr

Chemistry & Biodiversity
|April 20, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Geometrical illusions are not always where you think they are: a review of some classical and less classical illusions, and ways to describe them.

Frontiers in human neuroscience·2014
Same author

Alternation frequency thresholds for stereopsis as a technique for exploring stereoscopic difficulties.

i-Perception·2012
Same author

Ribosomal kinetics and accuracy: sequence engineering to the rescue.

Journal of molecular biology·2012
Same author

Frail hypotheses in evolutionary biology.

PLoS genetics·2010
Same author

Designing visually rich, nearly random textures.

Spatial vision·2007
Same author

The science and craft of autostereograms.

Spatial vision·2007
Same journal

Structure-Based De Novo Design of Novel Dual DPP IV and PTP 1B Inhibitors (DDPI's).

Chemistry & biodiversity·2026
Same journal

Investigating Phenolic Contents, Antioxidant Capacity and Enzyme Inhibition Activity of Vitex agnus-castus Vinegar.

Chemistry & biodiversity·2026
Same journal

Synthesis and Evaluation of Astaxanthin Derivatives for Improved Water Solubility and Stability.

Chemistry & biodiversity·2026
Same journal

Sulfated Galactans From Red Algae: Cutting-Edge Extraction, Purification, Structural Characterization, Bioactivities, and Biomedical Applications: A Review.

Chemistry & biodiversity·2026
Same journal

Two New Highly Oxygenated Monoterpenes From the Seeds of Dysphania ambrosioides and Their Inflammatory Activity In Vitro and In Silico.

Chemistry & biodiversity·2026
Same journal

Isolation of Metabolites With Antiviral Activity From the Brown Algae Dictyota fasciola and Dictyota mediterranea.

Chemistry & biodiversity·2026
See all related articles

Nonenzymatic nucleic acid replication research suggests

Area of Science:

  • Origin of life studies
  • Prebiotic chemistry
  • Molecular evolution

Background:

  • Leslie Orgel's work on nonenzymatic nucleic acid replication and artificial selection of RNA aptamers and ribozymes.
  • Pessimism surrounding 'naked gene' theories for the origin of life.
  • Acknowledged need for complex and dynamic environments for primitive RNA replication and catalysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose alternative theories for the origin of life that bridge 'naked gene' and metabolic theories.
  • To address challenges in RNA replication and catalysis, such as efficiency gains and information content.
  • To explore the role of short oligomers and heterogeneous complexes in prebiotic systems.

Main Methods:

  • Re-evaluation of 'naked gene' theories in light of current research.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Proposal of alternative models for early genetic systems.
  • Consideration of heterogeneous complexes of short oligomers for catalytic functions.
  • Incorporation of replication errors with chemically reactive nucleotides.

    • Main Results:

    • Low probability of finding RNA aptamers/ribozymes is less concerning than poor efficiency gains with increased information.
    • Complex, dynamic environments are crucial for early RNA replication and catalysis.
    • Short oligomers in heterogeneous complexes may offer solutions to stability, binding, reactivity, and specificity challenges.
    • Replication errors introducing reactive nucleotides could enable dual function (inert/catalytic) for RNA sequences.

    Conclusions:

    • Primitive replication and catalysis likely occurred in complex environments, not solely with 'naked genes'.
    • Alternative models involving short oligomers and heterogeneous complexes offer viable pathways for prebiotic chemistry.
    • Replication errors can be a source of functional innovation, enabling RNA to act as both information carriers and catalysts.