Аннотация:Autocatalysis in a nonenzymatic, templete-directed condensation has been demonstrated in a system consisting of three oligonucleotides. A simple form of self-replication occurs, albeit only to a small extent: the template T organizes the building blocks Å and B in such a way that condensation can occur, leading to a second template molecule. Such a nonenzymatic process has long been sought, because it is postulated as a sine qua non for prebiotic evolution in theories on the origin of life.