Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA). A synthetic DNA mimic
The protocell model in the project is
composed of three interconnected
parts which can be optimized and analyzed independently.
Ultimately, the model requires that the genetic material is stably
associated with the lipid container (relative to the generation
(replication) time of the protocell), such that a strong connection
between geno- and
phenotype is maintained[59].
Furthermore, a coupling between the
genetic template and the metabolic chemistry is envisaged as this would
allow selection and evolution on the genetic material on the basis of
metabolic performance.
Interaction of the genetic material
with the lipid container and
ultimately embedding the genetic material within the lipid phase is
critical for this concept.
Therefore it is of paramount importance to investigate whether
replication would be possible under these conditions.
A prerequisite for information transfer in the replication process of
e.g. a PNA (peptide nucleic acid) genetic system [60-62] is sufficient
stability and fidelity in the sequence recognition between two PNA
single strands
forming a duplex. The PNA molecule is an achiral, uncharged DNA mimic
based on pseudopeptide chemistry (Fig. 1).
Furthermore, the PNA molecule
has high chemical stability and gives convenient access to a wide range
of chemical modifications and conjugates, [63]
which may be exploited
for
container integration and metabolic coupling.