From RNA-peptide coevolution to cellular life at heated air bubbles

Introduction

The origin of life on Earth is one of humanity's profound mysteries that lacks scientific answers. We aim to answer this fundamental question by performing pioneering experiments starting from the Darwinian evolution of RNA and peptides to the emergence of cellular life, all in a single environment with only a small selection of starting molecules.

Team Composition

We are an interdisciplinary team with diverse backgrounds in chemistry, physics, and biochemistry, and we have a proven track record of strong interdisciplinary collaborations.

Preliminary Findings

Preliminary experiments have revealed the remarkable potential of heat-exposed air bubbles for molecular evolution.

Project Overview

BubbleLife connects long evolutionary timescales through targeted experiments, bridging from amino acids and nucleotides to the emergence of protocellular life in one unified environment. Our experimental studies indicate a chemical cooperation of:

• Amino acids
• Nucleoside monophosphates
• Lipids

This cooperation drives their Darwinian co-evolution towards modern biochemistry.

Mechanisms of Evolution

The non-equilibrium at heated air bubbles promotes RNA oligomerization and template-directed ligation, fostering the emergence of autocatalytic replication networks, including the first RNA catalysts (ribozymes).

Membrane Formation

Co-accumulating lipids form membrane vesicles at heated air-water interfaces that autonomously encapsulate RNA. Driven by prebiotic phosphorylation, amino acids polymerize into peptides in the same alkaline environment.

Early Proto-Translation

Subsequently, they form RNA-peptide hybrids, revealing intriguing modes of early proto-translation.

Future Goals

By combining our unique expertise in a synergistic manner, our work will ultimately culminate in "protocell generators" that feed and encapsulate not only primitive RNA-based replicators but also modern transcription-translation-based systems.

Conclusion

BubbleLife will reshape our understanding of the origin of life on Earth and potentially elsewhere in the universe.