Formamide in non-life/life transition

Abstract

We would like to thank all commentators for their insightful commentaries [1–7]. Here we briefly discuss some ofthe important observations raised in the commentaries.Kaempfer [1] raised an important point about the role of RNA in the origin of life scenario. The plasticity of RNAis illustrated not only by catalytic properties, by its role in performing the functions of the ribosome in translation ofmRNA, by its riboswitch responsiveness: it is also shown by its function of active sensor in stress signaling [8].Thisproperty has possibly endowed RNA with the ability to evolve to what is the extant protective immune response [9].All these properties, as stressed by the author, lend support to the scenario that puts RNA in the key position tokick-start life.Burton [2] underscores the relevance, in the assessment of the possible prebiotic role of formamide-based syntheticreactions, of the physical chemical conditions in which they have been observed. Nucleic bases, carboxylic acidsand aminoacids are typically obtained in the presence of catalysts by warming at 140–160