Berlin 2024 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 21: Poster IIIb

BP 21.32: Poster

Mittwoch, 20. März 2024, 11:00–14:30, Poster C

Controlling transport for RNA enrichment in 2D-alkaline chimneys — •Mona Byberg Michelsen and Karen Alim — School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Alkaline vents at the prebiotic ocean floor are hypothesized as a setting for the emergence of life. These alkaline vents (AVs) produce chimneys with intricate hierarchical architectures and steep pH gradients. Under these conditions, intricate flow networks facilitate complex transport of organic molecules and other compounds. For the emergence of life, the enrichment and synthesis of organic molecules, in particular nucleic acids, need to be facilitated. Yet, the location within the AV chimneys and the necessary flow conditions to overcome the concentration problem are still unknown.

Our recently established microfluidic two-dimensional (2D) model of alkaline chimneys allows us to directly observe chimney architecture, fluid flow, and molecule transport and enrichment. By combining optical tracking with numerical methods, we aim to establish a quantitative model of transport through the AV chimney. Experimental 2D chimneys will be optimized using predictions from the quantitative model and tested for enrichment of organic compounds. Finally, the effects of a dynamic chimney environment will be probed by periodically changing inflow salt concentration and tracking the impact on denaturation and hybridization of nucleic acids. Through this combination of experiments and quantitative modeling, we aim to uncover the physical prerequisites for the enrichment of nucleic acids and the creation of dynamic environments facilitating replication at the origin of life.

Keywords: Fluid physics; Alkaline vents