Micro-evolutionary bursts of change

New research by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, has revealed problems with origin of life hypotheses that are based on metabolic systems developing first, as opposed to an RNA or DNA system. 

The researchers found that compound genomes, or “composomes”, the basic unit of proto-life in metabolism-based hypotheses, are unable to undergo Darwinian evolution, putting serious doubt onto thoughts that they could foster the beginning of life on planet Earth.

However, this is just one study – more research needs to be done to confirm or deny these results.

Prions, the proteins responsible for various diseases including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (aka. mad-cow disease), have been found to able to evolve via mutation and natural selection just like traditional life-forms.

Even though by most measures prions are not living organisms – they are proteins with no genetic material – the Scripps Research Institute has found they can adapt to their environment and become more dangerous over time.

Charles Weissmann, the head of the study, had this to say:

“On the face of it, you have exactly the same process of mutation and adaptive change in prions as you see in viruses. This means that this pattern of Darwinian evolution appears to be universally active. In viruses, mutation is linked to changes in nucleic acid sequence that leads to resistance. Now, this adaptability has moved one level down- to prions and protein folding – and it’s clear that you do not need nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) for the process of evolution.”

Very interesting. It’ll be fun to see what creationists and intelligent design proponents such as the Discovery Institute have to say about this find.

(via BBC News) – (h/t to @dreadpiratemick on Twitter)