Autonomous genome replication and protein synthesis in a cell-free system under microfluidic accumulation and feeding (P08)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: from 2018 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 364653263

We will study plausible geological non-equilibrium environments composed of open rock pores for their suitability to continuously supply biochemical reaction networks driving replication and expression of genetic information. The aim is to host and position these complex reaction networks over an extended period of time through physical disequilibria without the need for membranes, while maintaining their activity. We will use recombinant in vitro translation systems coupled to DNA replication and energy regeneration as a proxy for a metabolic system capable of maintaining both flow of genetic information as well as a minimal metabolism.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 235: Emergence of Life: exploring mechanisms with cross-disciplinary experiments
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Dieter Braun, since 7/2022; Dr. Christof Friedrich Bernhard Mast, until 6/2022; Professor Dr. Hannes Mutschler