Study reveals continuous pathway to building blocks of life
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 - 02:30
in Biology & Nature
Researchers have long sought to understand the origins of life on Earth. A new study conducted by scientists at the Institute for Advanced Study, the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), and the University of New South Wales, among other participating institutions, marks an important step forward in the effort to understand the chemical origins of life. The findings of this study demonstrate how "continuous reaction networks" are capable of producing RNA precursors and possibly ultimately RNA itself—a critical bridge to life. The study is published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.