Clay Likely Facilitated the Formation of Cells and the Evolution of Life on Earth

T

Timshel

New member
http://www.universityherald.com/art...-cells-and-the-evolution-of-life-on-earth.htm


Biological engineers from Cornell University found in simulated ancient seawater, clay formed a hydrogel, which acted as a sponge in absorbing and storing tiny molecules of liquid.

Over billions of years, the researchers believe, those molecules could have evolved into proteins, DNA and cells. In essence, the molecules stored in clay could very well have naturally evolved into the building blocks of life.


"We propose that in early geological history clay hydrogel provided a confinement function for biomolecules and biochemical reactions," Dan Luo, professor of biological and environmental engineering and a member of the Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, said in a press release.
 
To test their theory, the group recreated protein synthesis in a clay hydrogel by filling it themselves with DNA, amino acids, enzymes and other bits and pieces of a cell. The researchers found that clay is an easy-to-obtain and highly effective way to produce proteins, which could come in handy in drug manufacturing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top