title: A decisive step toward the origin of life.
abstract: Several hypotheses exist regarding how life emerged from the abiotic world, the most popular of which is the 'RNA World' hypothesis. Recent advances describe nonenzymatic polymerization of mononucleotides in a phospholipid liquid crystalline matrix, suggesting that a 'Lipid World' might have preceded the RNA World.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, NCSR 'Demokritos', 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Attiki, Greece; Regulon SA, 7 Afxentiou, 17455 Alimos, Attiki, Greece. Electronic address: c.paleos@inn.demokritos.gr.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Paleos
mesh_terms: D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D000069497:Origin of Life; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry; D058105:Polymerization; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D010743:Phospholipids; D012313:RNA
keywords: liquid crystals; molecular evolution; nucleotides; origin of life; vesicles