Synthetic Biology: Mimicing Nature Synthesizing Ribosomes

[EdEarl]

Work at Northwestern University with partners at Harvard Medical School have reported work that could lead to new antibiotics.

 

Synthetic biology researchers ... have for the first time synthesized ribosomes -- cell structures responsible for generating all proteins and enzymes in our bodies -- from scratch in a test tube. - See more at: http://www.northwestern.edu

It also appears to be a step towards abiogenesis.

[CharonY]

Well a more appropriate title is probably that the study may lead to experiments that may improve our understanding if ribosome interactions. Among others, in the far far future that knowledge may assist in finding novel compounds that may act upon these interactions. Provided that they are non-toxic to eukaryotes (or less so) they may have uses as antibiotics.

Also they may provide insights into potential evolutionary paths of early life, I am uncertain whether these synthetic studies will provide much insights into abiogenesis per se. At least for now.