title: Molecular replication.
abstract: Simple replicating molecules are likely to have played a critical role in the origin of life. Recent experiments show that non-enzymatic replication is conceivable in a wide range of synthetic chemical systems. The challenge now facing these studies is how to develop information-coding systems from simple prebiotic precursors.
authors.affiliation: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, California 92186-5800.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Orgel
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001704:Biopolymers; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004261:DNA Replication; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry*; D000069497:Origin of Life; D013698:Templates, Genetic
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D004247:DNA; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase