Sustained exponential self-replication by a polymerase ribozyme

A polymerase ribozyme of length $L$ must synthesize complete copies of itself and of its complementary strand with per-nucleotide fidelity $q$ satisfying $L(1 - q) < \ln(\sigma)$ (Eigen error threshold; $\sigma$ = selective advantage of the correct sequence), at yields that allow exponential growth over repeated cycles that include strand separation. QT45, a 45-nucleotide ribozyme (Gianni and co-workers, Science 2026), synthesizes its complementary strand from a random triplet pool at $q = 0.941$ and a copy of itself from defined triplet substrates, each at about 0.2% yield in 72 days in eutectic ice. Answer: yes or no, with a demonstrated system showing sustained exponential amplification of both strands over many rounds without defined oligomer feeds.

Demonstration of sustained exponential amplification of a ribozyme by its own copying activity over many rounds, with sequence fidelity measured by deep sequencing.