Evolving complex systems from simple molecules

Organic compounds--Synthesis;Nonlinear systems;Combinatorial chemistry;Biocomplexity;Molecular recognition

Sadownik, Jan ; Philp, Douglas ; Philp, Douglas

University:University of St Andrews

Department:Chemistry (School of)

关键词: Organic compounds--Synthesis;    Nonlinear systems;    Combinatorial chemistry;    Biocomplexity;    Molecular recognition;   

Others  :  https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/10023/857/JanSadownikPhDThesis.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y

来源: DR-NTU

【 摘 要 】

Until very recently, synthetic chemistry has focussed on the creation of chemicalentities with desirable properties through the programmed application of isolatedchemical reactions, either individually or in a cascade that afford a target compoundselectively. By contrast, biological systems operate using a plethora of complexinterconnected signaling and metabolic networks with multiple checkpoint controlsand feedback loops allowing biological systems to adapt and respond rapidly toexternal stimuli. Systems chemistry attempts to capture the complexity and emergentphenomena prevalent in the life sciences within a wholly synthetic chemicalframework. In this approach, complex phenomena are expressed by a group ofsynthetic chemical entities designed to interact and react with many partners withinthe ensemble in programmed ways. In this manner, it should be possible to createsynthetic chemical systems whose properties are not simply the linear sum of theattributes of the individual components.Chapter 1 discusses the role of complex networks in various aspects of chemistry-related research from the origin of life to nanotechnology. Further, it introduces theconcept of Systems chemistry, giving various examples of dynamic covalentnetworks, self-replicating systems and molecular logic gates, showing theapplications of complex system research.Chapter 2 discusses the components of replicator design. Further, it introduces anetwork based on recognition mediated reactions that is implemented by length-segregation of the substrates and displays properties of self-sorting.Chapter 3 presents a fully addressable chemical system based on auto- and cross-catalytic properties of product templates. The system is described by Boolean logicoperations with different template inputs giving different template outputs.Chapter 4 introduces a dynamic network which fate is determined by a singlerecognition event. The replicator is capable of exploiting and dominating theexchanging pool of reagents in order to amplify its own formation at the expense ofother species through the non-linear kinetics inherent in minimal replication.Chapter 5 focuses on the development of complex dynamic systems fromstructurally simple molecules. The new approach allows creating multicomponentnetworks with many reaction pathways operating simultaneously from readilyavailable substrates.