title: A model of autocatalytic replication.
abstract: The catalytic effects that existing polymer chains have on the formation of new chains are modeled using ideas from spin glasses and neural networks. Computer simulation shows that isolated groups of chains in this model are capable of accurately replicating a wide variety of complex structures without templating. Replication in the model arises spontaneously and rapidly, leading to an extremely simple realization of a system exhibiting Darwinian evolution.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001704:Biopolymers; D002384:Catalysis; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008959:Models, Neurological
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers