Researchers Create RNA, Discover Possible Conditions Behind Formation of Life on Earth

Dr. John Sutherland at the University of Manchester has successfully created RNA from mixing a phosphate with the raw materials that create simple sugars and other primitive chemicals. This work could answer the age old question about the origin of life on Earth, and be one the largest strides in understanding the conditions required to create life.

What is RNA?

RNA, long suspected to carry the genetic information of primitive life, passes genetic code down from ancestor to descendant. Although DNA performs this task for a majority of evolved species, it is still present to perform essential work in living cells. RNA works in the cells of modern animals as a blueprint for proteins, carrying vital information to the production site to synthesize proteins for cellular activity. It is believed that the RNA may have worked double duty for early organisms, or may even be the first form of life itself.

RNA Creation at Manchester University

In a recent article in the respected scientific journal Nature, research from the University of Manchester successfully managed to create RNA from a "soup" of basic chemicals. According to a report in Wired, these components are identical to those found in interstellar dust clouds and on meteorites.

As the RNA created can grow and capitalizes on the free energy around it, the process could be considered the creation of life. This could be the first step toward synthesizing enzymes, which may give new insights to curing genetic illnesses and finding solutions to current issues, like creating microorganisms that can digest plastic trash.

This discovery brings about a new wave of scientific thinking. Dr. Joyce, an expert on the chemical origin of life at the Scripps Research Institute said "this makes me think of myself not as a carbon-based life form but as a phosphate-based life form."

There is still some speculation too, if this chemistry could really create a self-sustaining population of RNA. In a recent report by the New York Times, Dr. Robert Shapiro of New York University is quoted saying that the research "definitely does not meet my criteria for a plausible pathway to the RNA world." Dr. Shapiro states that finding one Dr. Sutherland's basic building blocks on earth to be unlikely, as it is quickly destroyed by other chemicals.

Dr. Sutherland contends that the early consumption of this chemical is actually beneficial to the reaction, and the chemical's presence one of Saturn's moons lends to the theory that the chemical was present on Earth during its formative stages. This would also explain why RNA is not spontaneously formed on Earth today.

How does the Creation of RNA Affect Me?

While the research has yet to face the trials of the greater scientific community, Dr. Sutherland is already pressing forward with creating a self-sustaining population of RNA and attempting to create the environment where cellular life can form. This could be used to engineer beneficial cellular organisms to fight diseases, digest non-degradable trash, and burn as biofuel. Time will tell what this chemical breakthrough will make possible in other fields of science as well.