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The RNA-world and co-evolution hypothesis and the origin of life: Implications, research strategies and perspectivesThe applicability of the RNA-world and co-evolution hypothesis to the study of the very first stages of the origin of life is discussed. The discussion focuses on the basic differences between the two hypotheses and their implications, with regard to the reconstruction methodology, ribosome emergence, balance between ribozymes and protein enzymes, and their major difficultites. Additional complexities of the two hypotheses, such as membranes and the energy source of the first reactions, are not treated in the present work. A central element in the proposed experimental strategies is the study of the catalytic activites of very small peptides and RNA-like oligomers, according to existing, as well as to yet-to-be-invented scenarios of the two hypothesis under consideration. It is suggested that the novel directed molecular evolution technology, and molecular computational modeling, can be applied to this research. This strategy is assumed to be essential for the suggested goal of future studies of the origin of life, namely, the establishment of a `Primordial Darwinian entity'.
Document ID
19950040954
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Lahav, Noam
(Hebrew Univ. of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere
Volume: 23
Issue: 5-6
ISSN: 0169-6149
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
95A72553
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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