NASA Discovery on DNA
Parts of DNA Can Form in Space
Stuff of Life
Parts of DNA, the stuff of life, can form in space. NASA scientists have made deoxyribose, the sugar that is the backbone of DNA, under space-like conditions. In a lab, they blasted ice with radiation and discovered 2-deoxyribose. Their innovation and findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.
NASA Research
NASA astrochemist Michael Nuevo says their research shows that the process of DNA formation can happen anywhere in our galaxy. It suggests that the stuff of life could have been delivered to earth from elsewhere.
Process
The scientists cooled frozen water and frozen methane to -260 degrees. Inside a vacuum, they blasted it with ultraviolet light mimicking conditions in interstellar clouds. Warming the irradiated ice simulated what occurs when a young star is born. The scientists identified 2-deoxyribose in the ice.
Asteroid Missions
NASA and Japan have two asteroid missions going on. They will bring back samples. And the scientists hope to search for deoxyribose in them.
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| Source: European Space Agency Shot of Eagle Nebula - Frigid & Radiation Rich |
Stuff of Life
Parts of DNA, the stuff of life, can form in space. NASA scientists have made deoxyribose, the sugar that is the backbone of DNA, under space-like conditions. In a lab, they blasted ice with radiation and discovered 2-deoxyribose. Their innovation and findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.
NASA Research
NASA astrochemist Michael Nuevo says their research shows that the process of DNA formation can happen anywhere in our galaxy. It suggests that the stuff of life could have been delivered to earth from elsewhere.
Process
The scientists cooled frozen water and frozen methane to -260 degrees. Inside a vacuum, they blasted it with ultraviolet light mimicking conditions in interstellar clouds. Warming the irradiated ice simulated what occurs when a young star is born. The scientists identified 2-deoxyribose in the ice.
Asteroid Missions
NASA and Japan have two asteroid missions going on. They will bring back samples. And the scientists hope to search for deoxyribose in them.
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