Arsenic microbe discovery has implications for astrobiology
Posted: Fri, Dec 3, 2010, 7:10 AM ET (1210 GMT)
NASA-supported researchers announced Thursday the discovery of a terrestrial microbe that make use of the element arsenic, a discovery that could have implications for the search for life beyond Earth. Scientists discovered the microbe, GFAJ-1, in Mono Lake in California. In lab tests where the microbe was exposed to arsenic, it incorporated the element into structure, including its DNA, replacing phosphorous. While the discovery involved a terrestrial life form, scientists said that the discovery could inform searches for life beyond Earth because it demonstrates that alternative biochemistries are possible. The announcement attracted significant attention because of rumors, based on a NASA announcement of a press conference about the discovery, that NASA would instead announce a discovery more directly associated with extraterrestrial life.
NASA-supported researchers announced Thursday the discovery of a terrestrial microbe that make use of the element arsenic, a discovery that could have implications for the search for life beyond Earth. Scientists discovered the microbe, GFAJ-1, in Mono Lake in California. In lab tests where the microbe was exposed to arsenic, it incorporated the element into structure, including its DNA, replacing phosphorous. While the discovery involved a terrestrial life form, scientists said that the discovery could inform searches for life beyond Earth because it demonstrates that alternative biochemistries are possible. The announcement attracted significant attention because of rumors, based on a NASA announcement of a press conference about the discovery, that NASA would instead announce a discovery more directly associated with extraterrestrial life.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, July 1
Move over Starlink, here comes Kuiper
Gulf News — 4:58 am ET (0858 GMT) USSF Seeks Industry Ideas For Space-Based Interceptors
Aviation Week — 4:57 am ET (0857 GMT) Don’t forget about Iran’s space program
POLITICO — 4:54 am ET (0854 GMT) EU Space Act is ‘orbital equivalent of GDPR’, says lawyer
Luxembourg Times — 4:53 am ET (0853 GMT) Poland’s second ever astronaut is safe in space
Euro Weekly News — 4:49 am ET (0849 GMT) |
