Protein mediated networks. Random chemistry

Abstract

Mathematical models of complex reaction systems suggest that such systems can exhibit a phase transition from subcritical to supracritical behavior. Supracritical behavior occurs if the diversity of substrates and potential catalysts exceeds a threshold. I will explore practical experimental avenues to study this phase transition, its role in creating libraries of organic molecules for drug discovery, approaches to study the emergence of collectively autocatalytic sets of peptides and other polymers, and a potential constraint on cells to remain subcritical.