Introducing Mutations in an artificial self-replication system

We have started a study of Darwinian evolution using an artificial self-replication system of DNA origami dimer rafts. By introducing a small error (3 bases) in the sticky-ends recognition strands, there is a small chance for the system to mutate templating a different dimer raft which can replicate itself effectively starting a new species. The mutation rate is small, but the mutated nanostructure shares the same replication ability as the original dimers. Although the original dimers are dominant at the beginning of self-replication, after many replication cycles we should have an equal mixture of mutated and original dimers. In addition, we can modify the mutated structures with the capability of growing faster, then after many replication cycles, the mutated species will take over the system. We can use the functionality of the different species to affect this takeover. Mutation and population domination by the fittest species would amount to natural selection in this artificial system