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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 14: Poster Session II

BP 14.86: Poster

Dienstag, 10. März 2026, 18:00–21:00, P2

Bottom-up emergence of a primitive replicator — •Magdalena Häupl, Ivar Haugerud, and Christoph Weber — Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Materials Engineering: Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstraße 1, 86159 Augsburg, Germany

Non-equilibrium selection pressures were proposed as a mechanism of forming oligonucleotides whose sequences encode rich functionalities, including catalysis. Since phase separation was shown to direct various chemical processes, we ask whether condensed phases can provide mechanisms for sequence selection.

To answer this question, we develop a non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory to describe oligomerization, templated ligation, and sequence fragmentation away from equilibrium and under non-dilute conditions prone to phase separation.

We show the emergence of a strong selection mechanism. Most strikingly, a primitive replicator arises that is solely based on the inter-sequence interactions that drive sequence condensation. These results highlight that out-of-equilibrium condensed phases may provide versatile hubs for Darwinian-like evolution toward functional sequences, both relevant for the molecular origin of life and de novo life.

Keywords: Non-equilibrium thermodynamics; Phase separation; Origin of life; Molecular evolution; Sequence selection