Unbounded growth patterns of reproducing, competing polymers—similarities to biological evolution

Abstract

Since the origin of life the interplay between reproduction, variation, and selection has been driving the emergence of new species. The evolution of the Earth’s biosphere appears to innovate unceasingly instead of coming to a stall. Here, we introduce a model system of linear molecules where new polymers appear by spontaneous ligation. The polymers proliferate following a template-based mechanism. Our combined experimental and theoretical study shows that for sufficiently rapid autocatalysis the reproduction process selects particular lengths—while ever longer polymers emerge. We suggest similarities to biological evolution.

Keywords

• DNA
• autocatalytic reproduction
• pattern formation
• 02.50.Fz
• 87.14.gk
• 82.20.-w