🔬 RNA World Simulation: Self-Replication in Action

This simulation illustrates a simplified Python model of RNA strand extension using trinucleotides and thermal cycling. Inspired by the recent breakthrough described on Earth.com, this tool demonstrates how primitive molecules might have started copying themselves.

💡 Python Simulation Code

import random

# Define RNA building blocks
trinucleotides = ['AUG', 'GCU', 'CGA', 'UAC', 'GGA', 'UUA']
template = 'AUGGCUCGAGGAUUA'

# Simulate a ribozyme attaching trinucleotides to a strand
def replicate(template):
    strand = ''
    i = 0
    while i < len(template):
        match = template[i:i+3]
        if match in trinucleotides:
            strand += match
            i += 3
        else:
            # Simulate mismatch or stall
            strand += '---'
            i += 3
    return strand

# Run the simulation
copy = replicate(template)
print(\"Template:   \", template)
print(\"Replication:\", copy)

🧪 Live Code Simulation (via Replit)

Click below to explore the Python code in a live environment:

Note: If the embedded version doesn't load, you can open it directly in a new tab: RNA Simulation on Replit