Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Peptide Nucleic Acid in Lipid Bilayers

Pawel Weronski pawel@cut.this.part.lanl.gov

Yi Jiang jiang@cut.this.part.lanl.gov

Steen Rasmussen steen@cut.this.part.lanl.gov

Molecular dynamics computer simulation is a powerful method for modeling phenomena on the molecular level. We employ this methodology to study a minimal self-replicating nanomachine or protocell, composed of a small lipid aggregate and a peptide nucleic acid molecule in the water environment. The research creates the basis for a revolutionary technology and provides new insights about the origins of life on Earth.