Probing Prebiotic RNA Oligonucleotide Polymerization on a Mg-FeS Catalyst Using Microfluidics

Author

Gabriella Garza, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

12-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Eloi Camprubi

Second Advisor

Bradley O. Christoffersen

Third Advisor

Jason G. Parsons

Abstract

Non-enzymatic polymerization under aqueous conditions has long been viewed as unfavorable, due to product (H2O) inhibition in abiotic settings (Damer & Deamer, 2015); despite its efficiency in biology through ATP monomer activation. Geochemically sustained pH gradients may provide free energy for condensation of organic monomers (Martin & Russell, 2003). Here, we investigated a biologically analogous non-enzymatic mechanism for RNA oligomerization, by probing the catalytic properties of a Mg-rich FeS mineral under aqueous conditions. FeS minerals promote a diverse prebiotic reaction (Wächtershäuser, 1988) and would have precipitated at Hadean submarine hydrothermal systems (Sojo et al., 2016). Natural pH and redox gradients at alkaline hydrothermal vents have shown to drive organic synthesis (Altair et al., 2021). Using microfluidics to maintain controlled out of equilibrium conditions (Radadia et al., 2008), we show that RNA-like polymerization is feasible under simulated vent conditions, though pH gradients do not appear necessary for the reaction to proceed.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Gabriella Garza. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3292465732

Recommended Citation

Garza, G. (2025). Probing Prebiotic RNA Oligonucleotide Polymerization on a Mg-FeS Catalyst Using Microfluidics [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1849