A key goal of chemistry is to develop synthetic systems that mimic biology, such as self-assembling, self-replicating models of minimal life forms. Oscillations are often observed in complex biological networks, but oscillating, self-replicating species are unknown, and how to control autonomous supramolecular-level oscillating systems is also not yet established. Here we show how a population of self-assembling self-replicators can autonomously oscillate, so that simple micellar species repeatedly appear and disappear in time. The interplay of molecular and supramolecular events is key to observing oscillations: the repeated formation and disappearance of compartments is connected to a reaction network where molecular-level species are formed and broken down. The dynamic behaviour of our system across different length scales offers the opportunities for mass transport, as we demonstrate via reversible dye uptake. We believe these findings will inspire new biomimetic systems and may unlock nanotechnology systems such as (supra)molecular pumps, where compartment formation is controlled in time and space.

化学的一个关键目标是开发模仿生物学的合成系统，例如最小生命形式的自组装、自复制模型。在复杂的生物网络中经常观察到振荡，但振荡的、自我复制的物种是未知的，如何控制自主的超分子水平振荡系统也尚未建立。在这里，我们展示了一群自组装的自我复制者如何自主振荡，以便简单的胶束物种及时反复出现和消失。分子和超分子事件的相互作用是观察振荡的关键：隔室的反复形成和消失与反应网络相连，分子级物质在该网络中形成和分解。正如我们通过可逆染料吸收所证明的那样，我们系统在不同长度尺度上的动态行为为质量传输提供了机会。我们相信这些发现将激发新的仿生系统，并可能解锁纳米技术系统，例如（超）分子泵，其中隔室形成在时间和空间上受到控制。