Photo: Supplied
The prevailing theory of how life started on Earth is about to be put to the test by Auckland biophysicist Dr Peter Wills and a team of international collaborators. The RNA World theory states that molecules of RNA self-replicated in the primordial soup, thereby kick-starting life on Earth.
Dr Wills and his US-based colleague Professor Charlie Carter don’t buy the theory, and posit that RNA was unlikely to replicate itself. They say a better bet is that RNA and peptides evolved together to create the first genetic code.
The pair have received a $US2 million grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to test their theory over the next three years, during which time Dr Wills says they should be able to firmly establish the plausibility of their hypothesis.
Illustration of RNA (ribonucleic acid). Photo: AFP
