title: Re-creating an RNA world.
abstract: The RNA world hypothesis states that life originated via a system based on RNA genomes and RNA catalysts. Researchers have been trying to develop such a system since catalytic RNAs (ribozymes) were discovered in 1982. This review summarizes the recent progress made in that endeavor and outlines the obstacles that remain to be overcome. After giving a short background on prebiotic chemistry and in vitro evolution, the discussion focuses on the generation of three important components of an RNA world: a sufficient polymerase ribozyme, self-replicating membrane compartments and ribozymes that are capable of performing basic metabolic processes.
authors.affiliation: Whitehead Institute, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. ufmuller@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: U F
authors.initials: UF
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D000069497:Origin of Life; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011130:RNA Ligase (ATP) / Q000378:metabolism; D016337:RNA, Catalytic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D012313:RNA; D011130:RNA Ligase (ATP)