Liquid crystals and the origin of life
Date | 3rd, Oct 2018 |
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Source | EurekAlert - Scientific News Websites |
DESCRIPTION
The display screens of modern televisions, cell phones and computer monitors rely on liquid crystals - materials that flow like liquids but have molecules oriented in crystal-like structures. However, liquid crystals may have played a far more ancient role: helping to assemble Earth's first biomolecules. Researchers reporting in ACS Nano have found that short RNA molecules can form liquid crystals that encourage growth into longer chains.