A11: Directed evolution of metallopeptides for prebiotic catalysis (Cathleen Zeymer)
The goal of this project is to evaluate the role of short metallopeptides in prebiotic catalysis using a laboratory evolution approach. We will focus on lanthanide peptides and their interplay with RNA molecules. First, we will identify lanthanide-binding sequences by screening catalytically naïve peptide libraries. These metallopeptides will then be tested and optimized for their ability to form assemblies with RNA as well as for their catalytic activity towards RNA hydrolysis and ligation. Furthermore, we will utilize lanthanide-containing geomaterials to perform the experiments under geochemically plausible conditions.