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Comparative Analyses of a Family of Potential Self‐Replicators: The Subtle Interplay between Molecular Structure and the Efficacy of Self‐Replication
Author(s) -
Pearson Russell J.,
Kassianidis Eleftherios,
Slawin Alexandra M. Z.,
Philp Douglas
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.200501189
Subject(s) - replication (statistics) , function (biology) , computational biology , computer science , biology , nanotechnology , biological system , materials science , evolutionary biology , virology
Abstract It is envisioned that protocols based on self‐replication will emerge as a formidable synthetic apparatus for the production of nanoscale assemblies through molecular structures that are capable of automultiplication with high reaction rates and selectivities. To achieve this goal, a complete understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and replication efficiency is necessary. Rigorous experimental and theoretical analyses of a series of self‐complementary scaffolds that are intimately related in a constitutional sense, manufactured through the Diels–Alder reaction of complementary subunits, were undertaken. Experimental and computational methods were employed to map the key determinants that dictate the emergence of self‐replicative function, as well as the efficiency, rate and selectivity of the self‐replicative processes.