"Nano-sized Copy Machine Uncovered in Origin of Life Study Using Cryo-microscopy"
Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has revealed the first atomic structure of an RNA replicase, a nano-sized copy machine implicated in the origin of life. The RNA replicase, developed to be efficient at copying long templates using nucleotide triplets in eutectic ice phase, shows similarities to protein-based polymerases. Researchers conducted a comprehensive mutational study to understand its crucial elements and built a model for RNA-based RNA copying consistent with experimental data. The study provides insight into designing more efficient replication mechanisms and may lead to advancements in RNA nanotechnology and medicine.