Reproduction and evolution of minimal cell: soft matter physics connecting matter and life

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20346
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0202:Condensed matter physics, plasma science, nuclear engineering, earth resources engineering, energy engineering, and related fields
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Kurisu Minoru 東北大学, 理学研究科, 助教 (00963943)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ソフトマター / 生物物理 / ベシクル / 高分子 / 人工細胞 / 生命の起源

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to approach the question of how cell-like self-reproducing and evolving molecular systems can emerge from a simple molecular assemblies in the standpoint of materials science, we designed a simple self-producing system whose components and operating principles are clear, and aimed to realise a simple evolutionary process by measuring how the growth rate and division ability change when mutations are added to the components. Using this model experimental system as a foothold, we also aimed to elucidate the physical principles that explain the process from matter to the emergence of life.

Free Research Field

ソフトマター

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

物理学はあらゆる自然現象を数理的に記述することを目指す。しかし生命の持つ圧倒的な複雑さはそれを困難にしている。本研究ではそのハードルを乗り越えて単純で数理的記述性の高いモデル実験系を通して生命を物理学から理解するために、自己生産や進化といった生命の本質的な振る舞いを人工的に再現するための足がかりを築いた。特に本研究で実施した人工系の組成の多様化は自己生産系への進化機能実装にとって大きな前進となる。