A robotic prebiotic chemist probes long term reactions of complexifying mixtures.

Nature Communications
Silke AscheLeroy Cronin

Abstract

To experimentally test hypotheses about the emergence of living systems from abiotic chemistry, researchers need to be able to run intelligent, automated, and long-term experiments to explore chemical space. Here we report a robotic prebiotic chemist equipped with an automatic sensor system designed for long-term chemical experiments exploring unconstrained multicomponent reactions, which can run autonomously over long periods. The system collects mass spectrometry data from over 10 experiments, with 60 to 150 algorithmically controlled cycles per experiment, running continuously for over 4 weeks. We show that the robot can discover the production of high complexity molecules from simple precursors, as well as deal with the vast amount of data produced by a recursive and unconstrained experiment. This approach represents what we believe to be a necessary step towards the design of new types of Origin of Life experiments that allow testable hypotheses for the emergence of life from prebiotic chemistry.

References

Apr 20, 2007·Chemistry & Biodiversity·Alan W Schwartz
Sep 30, 2008·Nature Reviews. Microbiology·William MartinMichael J Russell
Apr 27, 2012·PLoS Computational Biology·Rogier Braakman, Eric Smith
Dec 25, 2012·Cell·Nick Lane, William F Martin
Oct 23, 2015·Molecular BioSystems·Philippe NgheNiles Lehman
May 27, 2016·Nature·Monya Baker
Jun 10, 2017·Nature Communications·Vincenza DragoneLeroy Cronin
Apr 11, 2018·Nature Communications·Barry HerschyMatthew A Pasek
Aug 16, 2018·Journal of Theoretical Biology·David A Baum
Dec 13, 2018·Nature Communications·Stuart A Harrison, Nick Lane
Mar 3, 2019·Life·Wim HordijkStuart A Kauffman
Mar 8, 2019·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Andrew J SurmanLeroy Cronin
May 3, 2019·Nature·Kamila B MuchowskaJoseph Moran
Jul 19, 2019·Faraday Discussions·Philippe Schmitt-KopplinNorbert Hertkorn
Sep 19, 2019·Nature Chemistry·Subhendu Bhowmik, Ramanarayanan Krishnamurthy
Oct 2, 2019·ACS Central Science·Philippe SchwallerAlpha A Lee
Nov 20, 2019·Life·Steven A BennerElisa Biondi
Dec 17, 2019·Astrobiology·Bruce Damer, David Deamer
Mar 1, 2020·Life·Martina PreinerJoana C Xavier
Jun 4, 2020·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Ruiqin YiAlbert C Fahrenbach
May 26, 2021·Nature Communications·Stuart M MarshallLeroy Cronin

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

Python

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Nature Structural Biology
T Smith
Chemical Society Reviews
Jean-François LambertPiero Ugliengo
ACS Central Science
Alexander J Wagner, Donna G Blackmond
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved