A6: Selection of prebiotic building blocks by cyclic phase transitions (Christoph Weber)
We develop the non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory to investigate the selection propensity of cyclic phase transitions (freeze-thaw or liquid-liquid co-existence) for the assembly of building blocks essential to life. Specifically, we will apply our theory to minimalistic auto-catalytic reactions, the formation of long homopolymeric linear aggregates such as fatty acids, and the formation of DNA and RNA. We will determine the optimal physicochemical conditions for different cycle properties to obtain specific replication rates, length distributions, and sequence distributions. Our project is fundamental for future studies that screen for functional sequences capable of simple folds or complex functionalities such as self-replication.