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34 -- Synthetic Cells and Life's Origins
WEDNESDAY, April 16, 2008: MORNING
David Deamer
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Andrew Pohorille
NASA Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, CA, USA
Description
Considerable recent progress has been made in fabricating synthetic versions of cellular life. Whole genomes have been transferred from one bacterial cell to another; and genetic cascades have been established in lipid compartments that transcribe a gene from encapsulated DNA, and translate the message into a specific protein. This topical session invites talks from investigators who are directly involved in synthetic biology. The aim of such research is to establish experimental models of cells that incorporate one or more of the functions we associate with the living state. Appropriate topics include the self-assembly of membrane systems and transport of nutrients, encapsulation of macromolecules, and processes by which DNA, RNA and proteins can function in model systems composed of membranous compartments. Another aspect is how such systems can grow and undergo a primitive form of reproduction. It seems clear that similar processes must have occurred naturally on the prebiotic Earth (and Mars?) for cellular life to begin, so we have much to learn from attempts to produce simplified versions of living cells in the laboratory.
ORAL SESSION
9:45 34-03-O. A Self-Assembly Approach to Synthetic Biology and the Origin of a
Pre-RNA World N. Hud, D. Lynn
10:05 34-02-O. RNA Molecules Evolution on Proto-Cellular Mineral Substrates [invited]
E. Gallori, S. Branciamore
10:25 34-05-O. Stem-loop Nucleic Acids Can Bypass Complement End-product Inhibition
After Replication G. Springsteen
10:40 34-06-O. The Structural Repertoire of Short, Random RNA Sequences
M. Stich, C. Briones, S.C. Manrubia
10:55 BREAK
11:10 34-01-O. Principles of “Protolife” that Could Obtain in Extreme Planetary
Conditions [invited] T. Deacon
11:30 34-07-O. Energy Transduction Inside Vesicles D. Summers, J. Noveron, R.C. Basa
11:45 34-08-O. Vesicle Formation from Reactive Surfactants H. Zepik, P. Walde
POSTER
34-04-P. The Limits of Organic Life in Planetary Systems D. Smith