Constructive Approaches for Understanding the Origin of Self-Replication and Evolution
The mystery of the origin of life can be divided into two parts. The first part is the origin of biomolecules: under what physicochemical conditions did biomolecules such as amino acids, nucleotides, and their polymers arise? The second part of the mystery is the origin of life-specific functions su...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2016-07-01
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| Series: | Life |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/6/3/26 |
| _version_ | 1798038020675338240 |
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| author | Norikazu Ichihashi Tetsuya Yomo |
| author_facet | Norikazu Ichihashi Tetsuya Yomo |
| author_sort | Norikazu Ichihashi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The mystery of the origin of life can be divided into two parts. The first part is the origin of biomolecules: under what physicochemical conditions did biomolecules such as amino acids, nucleotides, and their polymers arise? The second part of the mystery is the origin of life-specific functions such as the replication of genetic information, the reproduction of cellular structures, metabolism, and evolution. These functions require the coordination of many different kinds of biological molecules. A direct strategy to approach the second part of the mystery is the constructive approach, in which life-specific functions are recreated in a test tube from specific biological molecules. Using this approach, we are able to employ design principles to reproduce life-specific functions, and the knowledge gained through the reproduction process provides clues as to their origins. In this mini-review, we introduce recent insights gained using this approach, and propose important future directions for advancing our understanding of the origins of life. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T21:34:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-04a1c0da806a4b4e97fe419240a3b4b3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T21:34:31Z |
| publishDate | 2016-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj.art-04a1c0da806a4b4e97fe419240a3b4b32022-12-22T04:01:48ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292016-07-01632610.3390/life6030026life6030026Constructive Approaches for Understanding the Origin of Self-Replication and EvolutionNorikazu Ichihashi0Tetsuya Yomo1Department of Bioinformatics Engineering, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, 1-5 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, JapanDepartment of Bioinformatics Engineering, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, 1-5 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, JapanThe mystery of the origin of life can be divided into two parts. The first part is the origin of biomolecules: under what physicochemical conditions did biomolecules such as amino acids, nucleotides, and their polymers arise? The second part of the mystery is the origin of life-specific functions such as the replication of genetic information, the reproduction of cellular structures, metabolism, and evolution. These functions require the coordination of many different kinds of biological molecules. A direct strategy to approach the second part of the mystery is the constructive approach, in which life-specific functions are recreated in a test tube from specific biological molecules. Using this approach, we are able to employ design principles to reproduce life-specific functions, and the knowledge gained through the reproduction process provides clues as to their origins. In this mini-review, we introduce recent insights gained using this approach, and propose important future directions for advancing our understanding of the origins of life.http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/6/3/26constructive approachself-replication systemevolutionin vitro system |
| spellingShingle | Norikazu Ichihashi Tetsuya Yomo Constructive Approaches for Understanding the Origin of Self-Replication and Evolution Life constructive approach self-replication system evolution in vitro system |
| title | Constructive Approaches for Understanding the Origin of Self-Replication and Evolution |
| title_full | Constructive Approaches for Understanding the Origin of Self-Replication and Evolution |
| title_fullStr | Constructive Approaches for Understanding the Origin of Self-Replication and Evolution |
| title_full_unstemmed | Constructive Approaches for Understanding the Origin of Self-Replication and Evolution |
| title_short | Constructive Approaches for Understanding the Origin of Self-Replication and Evolution |
| title_sort | constructive approaches for understanding the origin of self replication and evolution |
| topic | constructive approach self-replication system evolution in vitro system |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/6/3/26 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT norikazuichihashi constructiveapproachesforunderstandingtheoriginofselfreplicationandevolution AT tetsuyayomo constructiveapproachesforunderstandingtheoriginofselfreplicationandevolution |