title: Molecular crowding and early evolution.
abstract: The environment of protocells might have been crowded with small molecules and functional and non-specific polymers. In addition to altering conformational equilibria, affecting reaction rates and changing the structure and activity of water, crowding might have enhanced the capabilities of protocells for evolutionary innovation through the creation of extended neutral networks in the fitness landscape.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Ranajay
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pohorille
authors.forename: Irene A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D058045:Artificial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D004777:Environment; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D007700:Kinetics; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008954:Models, Biological; D000069497:Origin of Life; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D016337:RNA, Catalytic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D014867:Water; D012313:RNA