A continuous reaction network that produces RNA precursors

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1922139117
• Publication Date: 2020-06-02T20:05:30Z
• Authors: Ruiqin Yi; Quoc Phuong Tran; Sarfaraz Ali; Isao Yoda; Zachary R. Adam; H. James Cleaves; Albert C. Fahrenbach
• Keywords: RNA world hypothesis; Abiogenesis; Chemical evolution

Significance RNA may have been the original polymer to arise spontaneously on early Earth through natural geochemistry. Although direct physical evidence regarding Earth’s geochemistry is extremely limited, complex chemical reaction networks are thought played an important role in evolution. The present study demonstrates experimental model network that generates a number of compounds can lead synthesis single mixture starting from simple organic and inorganic feedstocks. Models this type will help explain which conditions needed produce primitive planetary settings.