Prebiotic Synthesis of Ribonucleotides

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Current theories on the origin of life suggest that RNA predates DNA, but a significant challenge lies in explaining the source of ribonucleotides. A recent article in Nature Communications discusses potential prebiotic chemistry pathways that could have led to the formation of these crucial RNA precursors, marking a potential breakthrough in understanding life's beginnings. The discussion invites further exploration of recent research that could support or enhance this RNA-first theory, highlighting the ongoing interest in the origins of life and the scientific community's pursuit of evidence to bolster these ideas.
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Most current theories of the origin of life assume that RNA arose first, before DNA.
One of the major challenges to this theory is where the ribonucleotides can from.
A recent article (Nature Communications 8: 15270; Divergent prebiotic synthesis of pyrimidine and 8-oxo-purine nucleotides) demonstrates how a prebiotic chemistry might have created these important RNA precursor chemicals.
 
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That's really interesting! I hadn't heard of this article before. It looks like it could be a major breakthrough in our understanding of how life began. Is there any other research that has been conducted recently that could support or add to this theory?
 

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