An in vitro autogene.

Recent technological advances have allowed development of increasingly complex systems for in vitro evolution. Here, we describe an in vitro autogene composed of a self-amplifying T7 RNA polymerase system. Functional autogene templates in cell-free lysate produce T7 RNA polymerase, which amplifies the autogene genetic information through a positive feedback architecture. Compartmentalization of individual templates within a water-in-oil emulsion links genotype and phenotype, allowing evolution.

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