RNA Chemistry and the RNA World

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The presence of RNA at the core of the ribosome, the extensive use of nucleotide cofactors, and the synthesis of DNA and some amino acids from RNA precursors suggests that RNA was once the dominant catalytic and genetic polymer early in the evolution of life. This 'RNA World' hypothesis assumes that RNA is capable of all the reactions required to maintain and evolve a 'ribo-organism'. One of my laboratories long term objectives is to select and evolve an RNA replicase ribozyme capable of sustaining RNA based evolution in the laboratory. Such a system could be called 'alive' and would marry the underlying simplicity of chemistry to the complexity of biology. Identifying the minimal complexity required to produce an RNA replicace would inform as never before about the difficulties faced on the early Earth in transitioning from an abiotic to biotic world.