Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Principia · 10-24-2003, 05:14 PM

Interesting research:

Quote:

Experimental Models of Primitive Cellular Compartments: Encapsulation, Growth, and Division

Martin M. Hanczyc, Shelly M. Fujikawa, Jack W. Szostak

Science 302(5645): 618-622

The clay montmorillonite is known to catalyze the polymerization of RNA from activated ribonucleotides. Here we report that montmorillonite accelerates the spontaneous conversion of fatty acid micelles into vesicles. Clay particles often become encapsulated in these vesicles, thus providing a pathway for the prebiotic encapsulation of catalytically active surfaces within membrane vesicles. In addition, RNA adsorbed to clay can be encapsulated within vesicles. Once formed, such vesicles can grow by incorporating fatty acid supplied as micelles and can divide without dilution of their contents by extrusion through small pores. These processes mediate vesicle replication through cycles of growth and division. The formation, growth, and division of the earliest cells may have occurred in response to similar interactions with mineral particles and inputs of material and energy.

RBH · 10-24-2003, 05:25 PM

Ha! Cairns-Smith rides again! The clay did it!

RBH

Principia · 10-24-2003, 05:29 PM

Who would've thought that so much CSI was locked away in ... clay?

RBH · 10-24-2003, 07:01 PM

Apropos of that article, this from Science News:

Quote:

"These experiments constitute a proof-of-principle demonstration that vesicle growth and division can result from simple physico-chemical forces, without any complex biochemical machinery," conclude the authors.

"The 'bottom-up' geochemical approach and the 'top-down' biochemical approach to the origin of life appear to be converging ... the experimental quest for the recipe for 'protolife' can begin in earnest," comments Michael John Russell from the Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre in an accompanying article

RBH

Albion · 10-24-2003, 08:18 PM

Somebody had better explain catalysis to the YECs. They don't seem to be able to shake the idea that abiogenesis had to be totally random.

Doubting Didymus · 10-25-2003, 05:39 AM

Seems that man was formed from the dust of the earth after all.

Ho hum.

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10-24-2003, 05:25 PM	#2
RBH Contributor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 15,407	Ha! Cairns-Smith rides again! The clay did it! RBH

10-24-2003, 05:29 PM	#3
Principia Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: anywhere Posts: 1,976	Who would've thought that so much CSI was locked away in ... clay?

10-24-2003, 08:18 PM	#5
Albion Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: US east coast. And www.theroyalforums.com Posts: 2,829	Somebody had better explain catalysis to the YECs. They don't seem to be able to shake the idea that abiogenesis had to be totally random.

10-25-2003, 05:39 AM	#6
Doubting Didymus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: East Coast. Australia. Posts: 5,455	Seems that man was formed from the dust of the earth after all. Ho hum.

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