Darwinian Evolution of Self-Replicating DNA in a Synthetic Protocell.

ABSTRACT: Replication, heredity, and evolution are characteristic of Life. We and others have postulated that the reconstruction of a synthetic living system in the laboratory will be contingent on the development of a genetic self-replicator capable of undergoing Darwinian evolution. Although DNA-based life dominates, the in vitro reconstitution of an evolving DNA self-replicator has remained challenging. We hereby emulate in liposome compartments the principles according to which life propagates information and evolves. Using two different experimental configurations supporting intermittent or semi-continuous evolution (i.e., with or without DNA extraction, PCR, and re-encapsulation), we demonstrate sustainable replication of a linear DNA template - encoding the DNA polymerase and terminal protein

SUBMITTER: Abil Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11494085 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature