Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol May 2012 PMID 20739415

The origins of the RNA world.

Michael P Robertson, Gerald F Joyce

Mentions

63
Peak: 7 in Sep 2021
across 5 sources since Apr 2019

Extended reach

42,726
potential audience

Total likes

18

Video views

215

Mentions per month

Apr 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter34 posts
  • News14 articles
  • YouTube7 videos
  • Blogs5 articles
  • Facebook3 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the discussions reveal skepticism about the probability of spontaneous RNA formation, with cites of scientific papers highlighting the difficulty of the RNA world emerging naturally. The tone combines technical references and critical viewpoints, demonstrating moderate engagement with a focus on scientific credibility and unresolved debates.

AgreementLow agreement

Most discussions highlight doubts or skepticism about the plausibility of the RNA World hypothesis, reflecting a level of disagreement or cautious skepticism among participants.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate curiosity, referencing scientific papers and debates, indicating an active but not highly enthusiastic engagement.

EngagementModerate engagement

Many posts involve quoting or referring to specific scientific studies, suggesting a thoughtful analysis and multiple points of discussion.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions seem to influence opinions on the origin of life, especially emphasizing unresolved issues and scientific debates that could shape future research directions.

Abstract in brief

  • The RNA World hypothesis suggests that early life on Earth relied on RNA for genetic information and catalysis, before DNA and proteins evolved.
  • While there is strong evidence supporting the existence of an RNA World, the idea that life began directly from RNA components assembled in prebiotic conditions remains debated and difficult to prove experimentally.
  • Some scientists consider that RNA might not have been the first self-replicating molecule, and that it could have been preceded by other molecular systems in the pathway to life.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Roger Highfield
@RogerHighfield · X

On the origins of the RNA world https://t.co/ye7w6rF1hD

Jun 7, 2022 · 2 likes · 2 shares · 17,041 followers View post →
MISciWriters
@MiSciWriters · X

RNA is foundational to life as we know it— but how did it all begin? In the first session of #umichRNA symposium, Dr. Jack Szostak discusses the origins of the “RNA world” from the chemical building blocks of primordial Earth.

Mar 25, 2022 · 2 likes · 903 followers View post →
Joshua Matettore
@matettore · X

@11jmoore The Origins of the RNA World https://t.co/cMLd3oanD0

Apr 8, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 3,926 followers View post →
Robert McCall
@musenz · X

The Origins of the RNA World - super interesting lecture. https://t.co/qw0j57M4gE

Sep 6, 2021 · 1 like · 1,518 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinF1re · X

@OlisCory @garyandglendah1 @RollRolllarry @NotEvolution1 2. Your "cell came about by chance... It didn't" is intellectually disingenuous. You believe in RNA World. On the other thread, I cited you below paper, of which you conceded that no one knows how RNA World could've originated. https://t.co/TvVGuMXrdB

Oct 4, 2024 · 1 like · 140 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinF1re · X

@onlychrispark but without some form of self-replication there is no way to conduct an evolutionary search for the first, primitive self-replicating ribozyme." - Prof Gerald Joyce, Michael Robertson https://t.co/TvVGuMXrdB

Nov 26, 2024 · 1 like · 140 followers View post →

All mentions

Justin
@JustinF1re · X

@Chupi383 @NotEvolution1 https://t.co/TvVGuMXZ39

Nov 14, 2025 · 140 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinF1re · X

@Broskieesquire @MAstronomers https://t.co/TvVGuMXZ39

Oct 27, 2025 · 140 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinBlueDrgn · X

@elementgermani3 @GBresimo @MIner_front_row @NotEvolution1 but without some form of self-replication there is no way to conduct an evolutionary search for the first, primitive self-replicating ribozyme." - Prof Gerald Joyce, Michael Robertson https://t.co/s8IRXdHHqA

Jul 30, 2025 · 128 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinF1re · X

@elementgermani3 @GBresimo @MIner_front_row @NotEvolution1 but without some form of self-replication there is no way to conduct an evolutionary search for the first, primitive self-replicating ribozyme." - Prof Gerald Joyce, Michael Robertson https://t.co/s8IRXdHHqA

Jul 30, 2025 · 140 followers View post →
Michael Anissimov
@MikeAnissimov2 · X

The Origins of the RNA World https://t.co/HRIhc0TabA

Apr 25, 2025 · 1,008 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinBlueDrgn · X

@onlychrispark but without some form of self-replication there is no way to conduct an evolutionary search for the first, primitive self-replicating ribozyme." - Prof Gerald Joyce, Michael Robertson https://t.co/TvVGuMXrdB

Nov 26, 2024 · 1 like · 128 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinF1re · X

@onlychrispark but without some form of self-replication there is no way to conduct an evolutionary search for the first, primitive self-replicating ribozyme." - Prof Gerald Joyce, Michael Robertson https://t.co/TvVGuMXrdB

Nov 26, 2024 · 1 like · 140 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinBlueDrgn · X

@OlisCory @garyandglendah1 @RollRolllarry @NotEvolution1 2. Your "cell came about by chance... It didn't" is intellectually disingenuous. You believe in RNA World. On the other thread, I cited you below paper, of which you conceded that no one knows how RNA World could've originated. https://t.co/TvVGuMXrdB

Oct 4, 2024 · 1 like · 128 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinF1re · X

@OlisCory @garyandglendah1 @RollRolllarry @NotEvolution1 2. Your "cell came about by chance... It didn't" is intellectually disingenuous. You believe in RNA World. On the other thread, I cited you below paper, of which you conceded that no one knows how RNA World could've originated. https://t.co/TvVGuMXrdB

Oct 4, 2024 · 1 like · 140 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinBlueDrgn · X

@OlisCory @SDAFS56788141 @NotEvolution1 Except the experts in RNA World said such is not very plausible. https://t.co/TvVGuMXrdB "It is not sufficient, however, that there be just one copy of a self-replicating RNA. ... If two or more copies of the same 40mer RNA are needed, then a much larger library, (cont'd)

Oct 4, 2024 · 128 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinF1re · X

@OlisCory @SDAFS56788141 @NotEvolution1 Except the experts in RNA World said such is not very plausible. https://t.co/TvVGuMXrdB "It is not sufficient, however, that there be just one copy of a self-replicating RNA. ... If two or more copies of the same 40mer RNA are needed, then a much larger library, (cont'd)

Oct 4, 2024 · 140 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinBlueDrgn · X

@Coffey3C1 @creationnews The quote I provided is from a paper published by Joyce and Robertson (pls see below.) https://t.co/TvVGuMXZ39

Sep 15, 2024 · 128 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinF1re · X

@Coffey3C1 @creationnews The quote I provided is from a paper published by Joyce and Robertson (pls see below.) https://t.co/TvVGuMXZ39

Sep 15, 2024 · 140 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinF1re · X

@oohglobbits2 @creationnews The very same author you cited disagrees with you. "But here one encounters another chicken-and-egg paradox: Without evolution it appears unlikely that a self-replicating ribozyme could arise, ..." - Prof Gerald Joyce, Michael Robertson https://t.co/TvVGuMXZ39

Sep 13, 2024 · 140 followers View post →
Justin
@JustinBlueDrgn · X

@oohglobbits2 @creationnews The very same author you cited disagrees with you. "But here one encounters another chicken-and-egg paradox: Without evolution it appears unlikely that a self-replicating ribozyme could arise, ..." - Prof Gerald Joyce, Michael Robertson https://t.co/TvVGuMXZ39

Sep 13, 2024 · 128 followers View post →
Korhan T
@korhant_t · X

"The problem of the origin of the RNA World is far from being solved." The Origins of the RNA World, Michael P. Robertson and Gerald F. Joyce, 2012. https://t.co/fMinaI2gd6

Nov 20, 2023 · 218 followers View post →
Mikael Krauze - Telic Thoughts
@MikaelKrauze · X

@theosib2 @JMcLatchie_ @RandalRauser Self-replicating RNA molecules likely make up a tiny fraction of sequence space. Robertson & Joyce make the rather generuous assumption that 10^20 40bp self-replicating RNA's exist, and still conclude against their spotaneous formation. https://t.co/h0g8PsI97f https://t.co/v7iGni6T4x

Aug 3, 2023 · 695 followers View post →
david hurn
@david_hurn · X

RT @RogerHighfield: On the origins of the RNA world

Jun 7, 2022 · 2 shares · 287 followers View post →
Andy Extance
@andyextance · X

RT @RogerHighfield: On the origins of the RNA world https://t.co/ye7w6rF1hD

Jun 7, 2022 · 2 shares · 3,371 followers View post →
Roger Highfield
@RogerHighfield · X

On the origins of the RNA world https://t.co/ye7w6rF1hD

Jun 7, 2022 · 2 likes · 2 shares · 17,041 followers View post →
MISciWriters
@MiSciWriters · X

RNA is foundational to life as we know it— but how did it all begin? In the first session of #umichRNA symposium, Dr. Jack Szostak discusses the origins of the “RNA world” from the chemical building blocks of primordial Earth.

Mar 25, 2022 · 2 likes · 903 followers View post →
nettie mc gee
@nettiemcgee123 · X

The Origins of the RNA World https://t.co/hp5WvXkpS7 via @YouTube

Sep 26, 2021 · 186 followers View post →
cjkroche
@cjkroche1 · X

The Origins of the RNA World | Library of Congress ⁦how many Oracles does it take to raise the DELPHINIUMS ¥ libtards are allies from the short bus. Have a care with assets you can't claim? Xo; https://t.co/GV8wCH6Xan

Sep 25, 2021 · 773 followers View post →
cjkroche
@cjkroche1 · X

The Origins of the RNA World | Library of Congress don't blame the back nine... https://t.co/GV8wCGPmiP

Sep 25, 2021 · 773 followers View post →
Tjarko Holtjer
@Yellow_1972 · X

The Origins of the RNA World https://t.co/T9D4SrfUVD via @YouTube

Sep 14, 2021 · 1,130 followers View post →
YodaWise
@yodawise65 · X

The Origins of the RNA World https://t.co/iEdNueBRh7 via @YouTube

Sep 10, 2021 · 6 followers View post →
Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci
@OrdoFibonacci · X

The Origins of the RNA World https://t.co/Hb1iw2Wqgk via @YouTube

Sep 9, 2021 · 2,570 followers View post →
Robert McCall
@musenz · X

The Origins of the RNA World - super interesting lecture. https://t.co/qw0j57M4gE

Sep 6, 2021 · 1 like · 1,518 followers View post →
Glenn H Thompson
@akbondservant · X

Watch "The Origins of the RNA World" on YouTube - https://t.co/r2XWIyTuff

Aug 23, 2021 · 1,216 followers View post →
Limelight & Fashion
@LimelightFlash · X

Watch "The Origins of the RNA World" on YouTube - https://t.co/66HxeNfzwH

Aug 23, 2021 · 2,956 followers View post →
Willem Hilton
@WillemHilton8 · X

The Origins of the RNA World https://t.co/IpsaLLNNiA via @YouTube

Apr 7, 2021 · 556 followers View post →
Adrian Turner
@adrianturner01 · X

@Friendof_Darwin @Bubobubosiberi1 @SBuddie1877 @chosenbygod17 @monsta_959 @Kadathdreamque1 @PrinceOfAtheism @AislygnEliyan @ooohglobbits @JaTapps @Phoenix42505497 @1CubbieKat1 @Ursidae19 @yourmomspants1 @Wolfpak561 @JohnKrahn2 @Emmerbetic @WoopsWoah @RobertBrownie @Avic_Wins @Squawkatoo2 @wilfredah77 @lightofthecross @Showtime127001 @JohnJon43924480 @BluePrint_371 @Andrea39671666 @DeForis66 @TSicarii @Maxisnax @remnantofisrae1 @pocket_monstre @Skot777 @davestewart4444 @TheHabsOnly @lacitehtopyH @Schmoop0521 @The_Newty @stejwill @MiggiNiad @MontlakeMan @Notbuyingthisbs @E_conRS @robjGoldberg @CriticalCripple McCombs, C. 2014. “The Extraterrestrial Search for the Origin on Homochirality.” Creation Research Society Quarterly 51 (1): 5–13. Robertson, M. P., and G. F. Joyce. 2012. “The Origins of the RNA World.” Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology 4 (5): 1–22.

Nov 10, 2019 · 595 followers View post →
From Colby Wright with Joy @1341
@iamWolby · X

RT @matettore: @11jmoore The Origins of the RNA World https://t.co/cMLd3oanD0

Apr 8, 2019 · 1 share · 882 followers View post →
Joshua Matettore
@matettore · X

@11jmoore The Origins of the RNA World https://t.co/cMLd3oanD0

Apr 8, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 3,926 followers View post →