![]() ![]() Another possibility would be to create stable alternatives to DNA and RNA, such as synthetic short peptide chains that can be more robust ( Ref 1) for information storage and control. Can we design a more efficient and simpler self-replicator? For example, it is believed ( Ref 2) that primordial life was based on RNA, and there are attempts to create RNA ribozymes in the lab (Refs 1, 2) as well as a major advance in understanding of ancient RNA processes that still exist in modern organisms ( Ref 3). Various enzymes exist for regulation and error correction of cell processes.Ĭurrent estimates ( Ref 1) of the minimal number of DNA genes needed to create a living organism modeled after the modern cell machinery above are in the range of 250-350 however, this design is limited by the process of evolution. The membrane signaling and transport proteins serve to allow for communication, energy, and raw material transport to and from the external environment.Ĭomplex machinery exists to allow for reproduction by binary fission. ![]() The lipid cell membrane serves to define the body of the cell. The cell provides the following required infrastructure: Thousands of enzymes convert available raw materials to building blocks required for the assembler and duplicator. Ribosomes are molecular assemblers working from stored information.ĭNA is the information storage medium, directing the assembly of other parts.ĭNA polymerase duplicates the information storage medium. ![]()
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