title: Nucleic-acid-templated synthesis as a model system for ancient translation.
abstract: The translation of nucleic acids into synthetic structures with expanded functional potential has been the subject of considerable research, with applications including small-molecule and polymer evolution, reaction discovery and sensing. Here, we review properties of nucleic-acid-templated synthesis in the context of requirements for prebiotic translation. This analysis highlights the chemical possibilities of ancient translation systems, as well as challenges that these systems may have faced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Calderone
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D013698:Templates, Genetic
chemical_list: D009696:Nucleic Acids; D004247:DNA