Skip to main content

Write a PREreview

The Information-Energy Phase Transition Theory: A Tiered Framework for Life's Emergence from Simple to Complex Replicators

Posted
Server
Zenodo
DOI
10.5281/zenodo.17575370

Life’s emergence from prebiotic chemistry represents a fundamental organiza- tional transition in matter. We present the Information-Energy Phase Transi- tion (IEPT) theory, which frames abiogenesis as a thermodynamic phase transi- tion analogous to percolation, occurring when energy flux, molecular complexity, and information storage simultaneously exceed critical thresholds. This revised framework addresses the “initial replicator problem” through a tiered evolution- ary model, progressing from simple self-ligating RNAs (Tier 1: 30–85 nucleotides, Etotal ≈ 800–1500 kJ mol−1) to complex polymerase ribozymes (Tier 2: 165 nu- cleotides, Etotal ≈ 2100–2400 kJ mol−1). For Tier 1 systems, we calculate achievable internal nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) concentrations of 0.5–1.0 mM within prebiotic vesicles through parallel geo- chemical concentration networks operating over 20–45 days. Tier 2 systems require 1.5–2.5 mM, achievable through scaffolded evolution after the initial transition. We demonstrate kinetic feasibility by modeling competitive inhibition (fcomp = 0.05– 0.15) and incorporating continuous NTP regeneration via trimetaphosphate-driven phosphorylation. The theory integrates kinetic proofreading costs into information maintenance energy, explicitly connects the phase transition criterion (θ = Gavail/Etotal = 1) to non-equilibrium steady states, and models homochirality emergence as a symmetry- breaking bifurcation. Stochastic simulations reveal critical exponents β ≈ 0.40 ± 0.04 matching the 3D percolation universality class, suggesting replication involves formation of connected sequence networks in high-dimensional sequence space. Experimental validation protocols employ isothermal titration calorimetry com- bined with differential scanning calorimetry to detect the predicted 12–20% net entropy reduction and heat capacity divergence characteristic of continuous phase transitions. Critical exponents are measured using an informational order parame- ter ψ = 1−Hnorm derived from deep sequencing. Crucially, we provide protocols for testing alternative genetic polymers (peptide nucleic acids, threose nucleic acids) to validate predicted threshold reductions of 25–40%. IEPT transforms origin-of-life research into quantitative, falsifiable science by defining the minimum environmental conditions necessary for the spontaneous emer- gence of self-sustaining molecular organization.

You can write a PREreview of The Information-Energy Phase Transition Theory: A Tiered Framework for Life's Emergence from Simple to Complex Replicators. A PREreview is a review of a preprint and can vary from a few sentences to a lengthy report, similar to a journal-organized peer-review report.

Before you start

We will ask you to log in with your ORCID iD. If you don’t have an iD, you can create one.

What is an ORCID iD?

An ORCID iD is a unique identifier that distinguishes you from everyone with the same or similar name.

Start now