Magical survival of DNA in space

The researchers were stunned when they discovered that DNA could survive in the harsh conditions of space and almost "unscathed" when returning to Earth's atmosphere.

According to Plos One, experts from the University of Zurich (Switzerland) launched Texus-49 missiles from Europe's Esrange launch pad in Kiruna, northern Sweden, into low orbit to study images. Effect of gravity on human cells' genes, placed inside missiles.

However, beyond the original purpose, the team decided to test further the effects of space travel on DNA. They attached short twists of plasmid DNA (self-replicating structure carrying genes that exist in the cytoplasm) into three places on the outer shell of the rocket.

Many scientists believe that comets may have brought organic materials to life, such as amino acids to Earth, early in life. Even so, some people go further and argue that DNA, the essential molecule of life, may have arrived on Earth with meteor dust, about 100 tons landing on our planet every day. This is the content of the theory of life origin from the universe.

The DNA tested by a rocket on the universe is a plasmid DNA, containing genes for fluorescence and antibiotic resistance.(Photo: Corbis)

In the Swiss scientists' experiment, about 53% of the DNA was recovered intact in the missile shell. The team was also surprised to find that more than one-third of these DNA samples still functioned as normal, despite experiencing temperatures surging to more than 1,000 degrees Celsius in their orbit. low in space and return to Earth.

Professor Oliver Ullrich, a member of the research team, emphasized: "This study has provided test evidence that DNA genetic information is essentially able to survive in the extreme conditions of space and the process of returning to Earth's dense atmosphere ".

The study also implies that scientists carry out missions to fly into space, to other planets, to be careful about contamination."The results show that, despite all safety precautions, spacecraft are still capable of carrying alien DNA to their landing site on Earth. We need to control this. when searching for extraterrestrial life , " explains Ullrich.

In August, Russian astronauts found traces of plankton as well as other microorganisms residing outside the International Space Station (ISS). They claim, plankton are not intentionally put into space, so they may have been swept up high in the universe by Earth's air currents.

It is noteworthy that tiny organisms have been found to be able to survive in the vacuum environment of the universe despite freezing, hypoxic and cosmic radiation.

According to some scholars, simple plankton could have been transmitted from other places of the ISS station. However, the discovery seems to prove, extremely primitive life forms can still exist in the harsh environment of space.

This discovery, along with the latest research by Swiss experts, raises interesting questions about the origin of life on Earth.