Mutual feedback between metabolically active coacervate droplets and nucleic acid catalysts (P16)

• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2018 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 364653263

We will study the synergies between protocell-first and the nucleic acid (NA) first hypotheses by developing a protocell model based on active, complex coacervate droplets consisting of prebiotically plausible cationic peptides and oligonucleotides. In the chemically fueled reaction cycle, the active droplets emerge when chemical energy is available, and decay without. Since part of the components is nucleotide-based, these protocells can contain hereditary information and host catalytic activity. We will focus on effects of droplet microenvironment on the activity and molecular evolution of NA catalysts but also how these catalysts can affect droplet survival and / or proliferation.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 235: Emergence of Life: exploring mechanisms with cross-disciplinary experiments
• International Connection: Sweden
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Job Boekhoven; Professor Dr. Ville Kaila, until 6/2022; Professor Dr. Hannes Mutschler, since 7/2022