An in vitro Evolutionary Journey of an Artificial RNA Replication System Towards Biological Complexity

Abstract

How can evolution shape a diverse biological world from a lifeless molecular world? In vitro evolution of artificial molecular replication systems is an attractive approach to investigate possible pathways of a simple molecular system developing towards biological complexity. We describe the progress of experimental investigation to test evolvability of molecules from the pioneering Spiegelman’s work to our studies on an artificial RNA replication system. Especially, we found that coevolution with parasitic molecules is a key to extend evolvability for emergence of diversity and continuous evolution.