New Theory on Existence Arose; RNA as Hypothesis

By Fatima Lagao/Claire Ann Austria

Sep 29, 2016 05:58 AM EDT

Since Charles Darwin's Theory several years ago, scientists made tremendous efforts in trying to find out other theories of human existence. The Scripps Research Institute now offers a twist in one of the most popular theories of  how life began here on earth--the RNA Hypothesis Theory.

The original theory dictates the existence of life on earth occurred due to the evolution or mutation of RNA molecules. RNA or ribonucleic acid is one of the fundamental components of cells, thus, a building block of all living organisms. This theory has been explored for over 30  years by our scientists. The main idea of this theory is that life existed when self--replicating RNA was formed. These RNAs further evolved to create proteins and enzymes that were the building structure of the earlier versions of life. 

The new study, on the other hand, claims that life begins not just by the evolution of RNA alone, but with the evolution of DNA in addition. RNA and DNA look exactly similar on the surface. The only difference for the DNA is its ladder-like appearance, while RNA only seems like half of a ladder.

One of the major drawbacks of the previous RNA hypothesis is the instability of the connection for the RNA to replicate. Krishnamurthy is one of the scientists at TSRI who made several appointments with NASA, National Science Foundation or NSF, Enter of Chemical Evolution and the Simons Collaboration on the Origins of Life.

 "We were surprised to see a very deep drop in what we would call the 'thermal stability." claimed Krishnamurthy. 

This RNA theory discovery was not the founding force that built the structure of life. Instead, RNA and DNA are now being looked at to have arisen at the same time. DNA could have evolved early onset together with the RNA, and developed its own homogeneous system. It is not denying the fact for the RNA to continue evolving and build its own network of DNA. 

"We will never know exactly how life began (barring the invention of a time machine), but by considering circumstances of early evolution, scientists can gain insights into the fundamentals of biology." Krishnamurthy added. This study was published in  the journal Angewandte Chemie

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