Protocells Either Synchronize or Starve

Area of Science:

• Origin of life studies
• Theoretical biology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Self-reproducing protocells require synchronized cell division and genetic material duplication for sustainable growth.
• Previous theoretical models suggested spontaneous synchronization under various conditions.
• Higher-order replication kinetics in simplified models led to replicator concentration divergence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the synchronization of cell division and genetic replication in protocells.
• To address the failure of synchronization in models with quadratic or higher-order self-replication.
• To explore the impact of precursor transport across the cell membrane on protocell dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Development and analysis of dynamical models for protocell reproduction.
• Comparison of models with instantaneous buffering versus finite transmembrane diffusion rates.
• Mathematical investigation of self-replication kinetics, including quadratic and higher-order processes.

Main Results:

• The "buffering" hypothesis in simplified models incorrectly predicted divergence for higher-order replication.
• Realistic models incorporating finite transmembrane diffusion rates of precursors resolve this divergence.
• Synchronization is achievable even with complex replication kinetics when precursor transport is considered.

Conclusions:

• Finite precursor diffusion rates are essential for accurate modeling of protocell synchronization.
• The "buffering" assumption is a significant oversimplification that can lead to erroneous conclusions.
• More realistic biophysical constraints, like membrane transport, are critical for understanding the emergence of life.