Can coacervation unify disparate hypotheses in the origin of cellular life?

Here, we review the recent progress in the characterisation and utilisation of coacervates as protocell models in the origin of life studies. We provide evidence that coacervation could have played a unique role during the origin of life, based on its ability to form from a range of different prebiotically relevant molecules; partition solutes; support and alter RNA catalysis and readily deform its shape. We discuss how these properties could have been important for the formation of the first membrane-bound cells, supporting RNA-peptide evolution and primitive metabolism, and in replicating and proliferating by growth and division processes.

Automated summary

Coacervates as protocell models play a unique role in studies of the origin of life, with their ability to form, partition solutes, support RNA catalysis, and readily deform their shape believed to be important for the formation of the first membrane-bound cells, supporting RNA-peptide evolution and primitive metabolism, and in replicating and proliferating through growth and division processes.