BBC News - Protein flaws responsible for complex life, study says

Basically, here's what it says: early forms of protein became unstable in water. That meant that they would stick together and be more likely to form a complex organism, which we've tested already.

It also says that it's more likely to occur in small populations as opposed to larger ones.


Thoughts?

Interesting, I think it's a good point and will help us get closer to understanding life.
Please don't let this turn into a religious debate though.

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It already has.

*flees*

I think there's still a lot of work to be done in this area. I'm interested in understanding the steps that produce replicating DNA.

I just read the original article. It is quite an interesting discovery in that these small flaws in protein structure can induce secondary selection for protein-protein interactions that stabilize key gene functions.

I think it is quite a leap to say that these interactions are responsible for complex life however, as the BBC stated. These interactions may have been used in the formation of complex life forms, but it is difficult to say that they are responsible for the formation of complex life. Several other questions need to be answered before we can come close to saying a certain biological mechanism is responsible for the formation of complex life.

agree no need for religious debate....

but it is funny to me... and I for one love science.... but some people will cling on every word science has to say.....

The process of DNA replication is pretty well understood at this point. What would you like to know exactly?

I'm not talking about how DNA reproduces. I'm talking about the steps the it takes to get to the first DNA structures. I've read different theories, but as far as I know, we haven't been able to pinpoint one method as being correct.

Ah, I see what you meant now. Sorry for misunderstanding your post.

What you mentioned is part of the reason I have a problem with the BBC headline. There are several other questions that must be answered, such as the origin of the first DNA structures, before one could say a certain mechanism is responsible for the formation of complex life.

That's interesting. I've discussed theories on this in A.P Biology before.