DNA replication Archives - Astrobiology

(a) MCM2-7 double-hexamer (DH). (b) DDK-activated MCM2-7 DH in complex with Sld3-Sld7. (c) CDK activity promotes recruitment of helicase activation factors GINS, Polε, Sld2, and Dpb11. (d) Sld2-GINSDpb11-Polε-induced MCM2-7 ATPase-dependent activity results in the splitting of the DH and a rotation of the two CMGE complexes against each other. (e) Mcm10 recruitment promotes DNA extrusion and complete separation of the two hexamers. (f) Extended unwinding promotes the recruitment of Tof1, part of the replication fork protection complex. Loading factors that do not form part of the replication fork are shown in grey. -- Nature

Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics

Pinpointing Where Cells First Begin Copying DNA

by Keith CowingJuly 25, 2026July 25, 2026

[Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Medical Sciences] Every time a cell divides, it must faithfully copy its entire genetic instruction manual. Errors during this process can damage the genome, […]

A simulated cell in the early stages of division. Left half shows membrane (green cubes), and ribosomes (yellow/purple) interwoven through in the cell’s chromosome (red). Right side shows all the proteins (grey) and RNA (orange) inside the cell with a small cutaway to show a second copy of the cell’s chromosome (blue). From Figure 1 of the paper, “Bringing the genetically minimal cell to life on a computer in 4D.” Journal: Cell. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2026.02.009 Credit Graphic by Zane Thornburg

AI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

Simulating A Living Cell: First Simulation Of An Entire Cell Cycle

by Keith CowingMarch 11, 2026March 11, 2026

By simulating the life cycle of a minimal bacterial cell — from DNA replication to protein translation to metabolism and cell division — scientists have opened a new frontier of […]

Strand separation by salt cycling -- eLife

Astrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

Prebiotic Gas Flow Environment Enables Isothermal Nucleic Acid Replication

by Keith CowingOctober 9, 2024October 9, 2024

Nucleic acid replication is a central process at the origin of life. On early Earth, replication is challenged by the dilution of molecular building blocks and the difficulty of separating […]

Replication at the gas-water interface. We considered a geological scenario in which water, containing biomolecules, is evaporated by a gas flow at the scale of millimeters. In volcanic porous rock, many of such settings can be imagined. The gas flow induces convective water currents and causes it to evaporate. Dissolved nucleic acids and salts accumulate at the gas-water interface due to the interfacial currents, even if the influx from below is pure water. Through the induced vortex, nucleic acids pass through different concentrations of salt, promoting strand separation and allowing them to replicate exponentially. Our experiments replicate this environment on the microscale, subjecting a defined sample volume to a continuous influx of pure water with an airflux brushing across. -- biorxiv.org

Astrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

Prebiotic Gas Flow Environment Enables Isothermal Nucleic Acid Replication

by Keith CowingJune 19, 2024June 19, 2024

Nucleic acid replication is a central process at the origin of life. On early Earth, replication is challenged by the dilution of molecular building blocks and the difficulty of separating […]

A central insight was to model the gene history using information from related species. The modelling demonstrated that the palindromes of microRNA genes are generated by single mutation events. CREDIT Ari Löytynoja

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

New Genes Can Arise From Nothing

by Keith CowingDecember 8, 2023December 8, 2023

The complexity of living organisms is encoded within their genes, but where do these genes come from? Researchers at the University of Helsinki resolved outstanding questions around the origin of […]