self-replicating molecules

From: Susan Cogan (Susan-Brassfield@ou.edu)
Date: Mon Nov 20 2000 - 15:13:52 EST

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    >[...]
    >
    >>>>Chris: Self-replicating molecules are not exactly uncommon.
    >
    >>>>DNAunion: I am unaware of any known natural self-replicating molecule
    >(they are very uncommon in nature, if they exist at all). Note the even DNA
    >is not
    >self-replicating (I bring this up because it is sometimes incorrectly stated
    >that DNA replicates itself).

    I happen to have just posted material on this subject to another list.

    go to www.google.com and type in "self-replicating molecules"

    -------
    http://discuss.foresight.org/critmail/sci_nano.88-94/0799.html

    An article on page 28 of the December issue of Discover magazine
    discusses the work of MIT chemist Julius Rebek. Rebek has developed a
    synthetic organic molecule capable of reproducing itself. This
    molecule, named amino adenosine triacid ester (AATE), consists of an
    amine and an ester, as the name implies. When added to a chloroform
    solution of amines and esters, AATE captures the components needed to
    replicate itself. Thermal motion of the solution then separates the
    original molecule from the copy. Under ideal conditions, AATE can
    reproduce itself 1,000,000 times in one second. Rebek is currently
    working on more sophisticated self-replicating molecules.
    -------
    a more detailed report of the above:
    http://w3.mit.edu/newsoffice/tt/1990/may09/23124.html
    ---------

    and a later study on self-replicating peptides:

    http://platon.ee.duth.gr/data/maillist-archives/deukalion/1998-9/msg00036.html
    -----------

    Susan 

    -- 
----------

      I am aware that the conclusions arrived at in this work will be 
denounced by some as highly irreligious; but he who denounces them is 
bound to shew why it is more irreligious to explain the origin of man 
as a distinct species by descent from some lower form, through the 
laws of variation and natural selection, than to explain the birth of 
the individual through the laws of ordinary reproduction.

    ---Charles Darwin

    http://www.telepath.com/susanb/

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