Molecular Dynamics Unveils the Emergence of Dividing Protocells from Self-Replicating RNA

The origin of life requires self-replicating molecules to evolve into dividing pro?tocells. We used molecular dynamics (MD) to simulate this transition across four phases: self-replicating RNA, RNA-peptide-membrane complexes, metabolism-driven protocells, and dividing protocells. Self-replication achieved a 9.1% connection suc?cess rate at 0.08 M Mg2+, while protocells divided with 100% efficiency, distributing RNA and peptides with 96% and 94% uniformity. A virtual RNA cleavage assaycorroborated these findings, offering a molecular roadmap for life’s emergence under prebiotic-like conditions.