RNA are versatile molecules that can fulfil virtually all fundamental needs and functions of the living, from storing information to catalyzing chemical reactions and regulating gene expression. The RNA world hypothesis \citep{Gilbert:1986aa,Eddy:2001aa} builds upon this observation to describe a scenario of the emergence of life based on RNAs. Recent experimental studies showing the remarkable adaptability of nucleic acids contributed to strengthen this hypothesis \citep{Horning:2016aa,Becker:2016aa} and thus revived the interest of the scientific community for this theory.
RNA are versatile molecules that can fulfil virtually all fundamental needs and functions of the living, from storing information to catalyzing chemical reactions and regulating gene expression. The RNA world hypothesis \citep{Gilbert:1986aa,Eddy:2001aa} builds upon this observation to describe a scenario of the emergence of life based on RNAs. Recent experimental studies showing the remarkable adaptability of nucleic acids contributed to strengthen this hypothesis \citep{Horning:2016aa,Becker:2016aa,Pressman:2017} and thus revived the interest of the scientific community for this theory.
% key assumption
Non-coding RNAs acquire functions through complex structures. A theory describing how nucleic acids evolve to ``discover'' these functional structures is thus a milestone toward a validation of the RNA world hypothesis \citep{Higgs:2015aa}.