A clocked DNA-based replicator

Abstract

A stepped replicator is described that uses the energy of hybridization to pry the product from the template in order to prevent product inhibition of replication. Toehold-mediated strand displacement is used to reset the system to its initial state after a round of replication. It is argued that the formation of dimers between structures in the process of replicating should not be able to form and, consequently, the system should exhibit exponential growth. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.