Complex patterns predicted in an in vitro experimental model system for the evolution of molecular cooperation

An isothermal biochemical in vitro amplification system with two trans-coop eratively coupled amplifying DNA molecules was investigated homogeneously u sing a hierarchy of kinetic models and as a simplified reaction-diffusion s ystem. In our model of this recently developed experimental system, no reac tion mechanism higher than second order occurs, yet numerical simulations s how a variety of complex spatiotemporal patterns which arise in response to finite amplitude perturbations in a flow reactor. In a certain domain of t he kinetic parameters the system shows self-replicating spots. These spots can stabilize the cooperative amplification in such evolving systems agains t emerging parasites. The results are of high relevance for experimental st udies on these functional in vitro ecosystems in spatially resolved microst ructured reactors. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.