TINY, 45 BASE LONG RNA CAN MAKE COPIES OF ITSELF

Summary from the TLDR newsletter

One of the key steps in the origin of life is the emergence of an RNA molecule that could replicate itself. RNA can carry genetic information and also fold into three-dimensional structures that act as catalysts. This suggests that early life was protein-free, with RNA handling heredity and catalyzing a simple metabolism. A team of scientists has discovered a 45-base-long piece of RNA that can make copies of itself, adding to our knowledge of the conditions in which life emerged.