Life-emulating molecules show basic metabolism
Ten years ago, Sijbren Otto, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Groningen, discovered self-replicating molecules that spontaneously formed rings, which then organized into stacks. These growing stacks were able to divide by breaking in half after which each half continues to grow. This system looks like a primitive form of life. Otto and scientists from his research team now discovered that the stacks act as catalysts, which speed up the formation of new rings from simple building blocks. Furthermore, when a light-sensitive dye is added and binds to the stacks, it will use the energy from light to produce reactive oxygen, which also speeds up the formation of new rings. Both reactions are a simple kind of metabolism. This means that these molecules do not just grow and multiply, they can also stimulate the production of their own building blocks. This brings them one step closer to a man-made system that would qualify as ‘artificial life’.
