A 45-nucleotide strand of RNA can now synthesize both its mirror-image complement and a copy of itself, bringing scientists closer than ever to demonstrating how life could have emerged from chemistry ...

Nucleic acids are complex biological molecules that store and transmit genetic information in all living organisms. They are essential for the survival and reproduction of life on Earth. The two main ...

Scientists have created QT45, a 45-nucleotide RNA enzyme that can copy itself and its complementary strand in icy, salty conditions thought to resemble early Earth. The finding narrows a long-standing ...