These molecules could then have been delivered to a young Earth by comets, meteorites or interplanetary dust, where they kick-started life on our planet. These were zapped with ultraviolet radiation in a vacuum to simulate space conditions. The structures themselves are not alive. This work is very interesting in that it shows that natural reactions occurring in space are capable of building up more complex structures. Dr Monica Grady Scientists do not know how life began but at some point membranes became important.
Membranes are like a house.
This new work suggests that the early chemical steps believed to be important for the origin of life do not require an already-formed planet. Instead, they seem to take place in deep space long before planet formation occurs. This implies that the vastness of space is filled with chemical compounds which, if they land in a hospitable environment like our Earth, can readily jump-start life. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Co-researcher Dr Scott Sandford said the team would continue to investigate the properties of their cells.