Autocatalytic systems and recombination: a reaction network perspective

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the dynamics of bimolecular autocatalytic systems using reaction network theory, demonstrating persistence and permanence properties relevant to origin of life models.

Contribution

It introduces a method to study autocatalytic networks via autonomous polynomial dynamical systems and applies reaction network theory to establish key dynamical properties.

Findings

Autocatalytic systems can be modeled by autonomous polynomial dynamical systems.

Reaction network theory proves persistence and permanence in certain autocatalytic networks.

The approach enhances understanding of origin of life models involving autocatalytic reactions.

Abstract

Autocatalytic systems are very often incorporated in the "origin of life" models, a connection that has been analyzed in the context of the classical hypercycles introduced by Manfred Eigen. We investigate the dynamics of certain networks called bimolecular autocatalytic systems. In particular, we consider the dynamics corresponding to the relative populations in these networks, and show that they can be analyzed by studying well-chosen autonomous polynomial dynamical systems. Moreover, we find that one can use results from reaction network theory to prove persistence and permanence of several types of bimolecular autocatalytic systems called autocatalytic recombination networks.