Emergent robustness in competition between autocatalytic chemical networks.
The origin of auto-catalytic networks has been proposed as an initial step in pre-biotic evolution. It is possible to derive simple models where auto-catalytic networks naturally arise from simple chemical mixtures. In order for such a system to develop, there needs to be some degree of stability, what is characterised as ;robustness'. We demonstrate that competing systems generate this robustness as they create a distributed network of catalytic pathways.
Goldstein
Richard A
RA
Mathematical Biology, National Institute of Medical Research, Mill Hill, NW7 1AA, UK. richard.goldstein@nimr.mrc.ac.uk
D003198:Computer Simulation; D019020:Directed Molecular Evolution / Q000379:methods*; D019418:Evolution, Chemical; D008956:Models, Chemical; D015233:Models, Statistical