Taylor, J.W., Eghtesadi, S.A., Points, L.J., Liu, T. and Cronin, L. (2017) Autonomous model protocell division driven by molecular replication. Nature Communications, 8, 237. (doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00177-4) (PMID:28798300) (PMCID:PMC5552811)
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Abstract
The coupling of compartmentalisation with molecular replication is thought to be crucial for the emergence of the first evolvable chemical systems. Minimal artificial replicators have been designed based on molecular recognition, inspired by the template copying of DNA, but none yet have been coupled to compartmentalisation. Here, we present an oil-in-water droplet system comprising an amphiphilic imine dissolved in chloroform that catalyses its own formation by bringing together a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic precursor, which leads to repeated droplet division. We demonstrate that the presence of the amphiphilic replicator, by lowering the interfacial tension between droplets of the reaction mixture and the aqueous phase, causes them to divide. Periodic sampling by a droplet-robot demonstrates that the extent of fission is increased as the reaction progresses, producing more compartments with increased self-replication. This bridges a divide, showing how replication at the molecular level can be used to drive macroscale droplet fission.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Points, Mr Laurie and Taylor, Mr James Ward and Cronin, Professor Lee |
Authors: | Taylor, J.W., Eghtesadi, S.A., Points, L.J., Liu, T., and Cronin, L. |
College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry |
Journal Name: | Nature Communications |
Publisher: | Nature Research |
ISSN: | 2041-1723 |
ISSN (Online): | 2041-1723 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2017 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in Nature Communications 8:237 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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