Universe Planets and Moons Earth ID: 10822

Does DNA Have Extraterrestrial Origins?

Story by Adam P Voiland | Visualizations by Chris Smith Released on September 15, 2011

If terms like adenine and guanine bring back unpleasant memories of Genetics 101 here's one reason to give the words a second thought: A team of scientists has discovered that these and other DNA building blocks can form in outer space and have been deposited on Earth's surface by meteorites. To reach this eye-opening conclusion, researchers ground up and analyzed a set of 12 meteorites collected from Antarctica and Australia. Within them, the scientists found a treasure trove of molecules that may have played a key role in allowing early forms of life to form. Adenine, which helps make up the rungs of DNA's spiraling, ladder-like structure, turned up in eleven of the meteorites. Guanine, another key building block of DNA, was present in eight. Two of the 12 also contained something extraordinary—exotic molecules that are so rare on Earth that they prove the DNA building blocks must have formed in outer space. The discovery lends support to the theory that a kit of pre-made parts from meteorites or a comet might have kick-started life on Earth. Learn more about the breakthrough in the video below.

For More Information

NASA.gov

Story Credits

Lead Visualizer/Animator:
Chris Smith (HTSI)

Visualizer/Animator:
Tyler Chase (UMBC)

Video Editor:
Chris Smith (HTSI)

Interviewee:
Michael P. Callahan (NASA/GSFC)

Producer:
Chris Smith (HTSI)

Lead Scientist:
Michael P. Callahan (NASA/GSFC)

Videographer:
Ryan Fitzgibbons (USRA)

Lead Writer:
Adam P Voiland (Wyle Information Systems)

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Rover photo courtesy of NASA/GSFC/Michael Callahan
Other images courtesy of Carnegie Melon University's Robotics Institute