Robustness of collectively encoded genomic information

The precise inheritance of genetic information through generations is a key concern for origins of life studies. Modern life relies on replicating single long oligonucleotides like DNA, but this mechanism faces difficulties in prebiotic conditions lacking evolved enzymes. Alternatively, some hypotheses suggest that short oligomers could collectively transmit information, but this concept lacks experimental and computational validation. Here, we demonstrate the suppression of mutations through cooperation among oligomers. We designed short DNA oligomers that encompass information from a “virtual circular genome.” These oligomers possess overlapping bases, allowing them to function as both primers and templates in thermal cycling processes, along with enzymatic primer extension. Through a combination of experiments and simulations, we observed that mutant oligomers replicate more slowly than their wild-type counterparts. This can be explained by a “binding partner effect,” in which wild-type oligomers are more likely to have partners that act as primers for their extension. Our findings highlight the advantages of collectively encoding genomic information in the origins of life context.