Algorithm discovers how six simple molecules could evolve into life’s building blocks
By 
Patrick Hughes2020-09-30T09:30:00
Program shows how micelles, catalysts and self-replicating chemical systems emerge from abiotic precursors
An organic synthesis algorithm has mapped out the thousands of reactions that might have converted abiotic compounds into the building blocks of life more than 3.5 billion years ago. Starting off with six simple precursors, the program discovered many known as well as 24 entirely new pathways to prebiotic molecules, and showed how catalytic and self-replicating systems might emerge.