Lipid-assisted synthesis of polymer compounds and methods for their use

The invention herein disclosed provides for methods for the synthesis of polymers from monomers. In particular the method provides for the synthesis of polynucleotides from mononucleotides in the absence of catalytic enzymes. The method comprises providing an aqueous solution having a plurality of phospholipid molecules and monomer molecules; subjecting the aqueous solution to fluctuating temperature conditions; subjecting the aqueous solution to fluctuating cycles of drying and hydrating conditions; subjecting the aqueous solution to fluctuating [H+] conditions; the fluctuating conditions thereby allowing formation of a chemical bond between at least two monomers to create a polymer. The invention is of particular use in the fields of molecular biology, structural biology, cell biology, molecular switches, molecular circuits, and molecular computational devices, and the manufacture thereof.