Supramolecular Chemistry: Self-Replicating Molecules

This lecture explores the spontaneous emergence of self-replicating molecules containing nucleobases and amino acids, focusing on the RNA World hypothesis and dynamic combinatorial chemistry. Two approaches are presented: one mixing nucleobase- and peptide-based building blocks, and the other using peptide nucleic acid (PNA) building blocks. Results show the formation of self-replicating polymers capable of exponential growth. Potential applications include the inhibition of bacterial growth, specifically against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The lecture concludes with the importance of compartmentalization for replicating and metabolizing structures.