Speaker: Dr. Tommaso Fraccia (University of Milano and San Raphael University of Roma, Italy)

Abstract:
I'll speak about short DNA/RNA oligomers self-assembly in ordered phases typical of liquid crystals as template for the abiotic synthesis of nucleic acids polymers. In particular I'll report about recent still unpublished results about liquid crystal formation of deoxy-nucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs) by base-pairing and duplex stacking in aqueous solution. Moreover I'll tell you about my current project, funded by EON, of connecting Lipid Assisted Polymerization and Liquid-Crystal Autocatalysis of random RNA oligomers mixtures in simulated hydrothermal fields, undergoing drying/wetting and temperature cycles.