### **Scientists Discover Protein Building Blocks Form Naturally in Deep Space, Boosting Odds of Alien Life**
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from Aarhus University have fundamentally challenged a long-standing scientific assumption, demonstrating that the essential precursors to life can form in the cold, dark vacuum of interstellar space. By recreating the extreme conditions of cosmic dust clouds—where temperatures plummet to -260°C—the team observed simple amino acids linking together to form peptides, the direct building blocks of proteins. This discovery, led by scientists Sergio Ioppolo and Alfred Thomas Hopkinson, suggests that the foundational chemistry for life is not exclusive to planets but is actively occurring throughout the galaxy, significantly increasing the likelihood that life could emerge on other worlds.
### **Recreating Cosmic Cradles: From Simple Molecules to Complex Chemistry**
The experiments were conducted in specialized ultra-high vacuum chambers at Aarhus University and the HUN-REN Atomki facility in Hungary. The team introduced the simple amino acid glycine into this simulated interstellar environment and exposed it to radiation mimicking cosmic rays. Contrary to previous beliefs that only simple molecules could exist in these regions, the researchers documented glycine molecules reacting to form peptides and water. „We saw that the glycine molecules started reacting with each other… This indicates that the same process occurs in interstellar space,” explained Hopkinson. This pivotal finding overturns the notion that complex chemistry must wait until star and planet formation, positioning vast interstellar clouds as universal chemical factories that pre-assemble life’s ingredients.
### **Universal Implications: A Pathway for Life Across the Cosmos**
This research carries profound implications for astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life. As these peptide-laden dust grains are incorporated into collapsing clouds that form new stars and planetary systems, they can deliver these organic building blocks directly to young, rocky planets. „If those planets happen to be in the habitable zone, then there is a real probability that life might emerge,” Ioppolo stated. The chemical reaction that forms peptides is universal, meaning this process is likely occurring with many types of amino acids throughout the galaxy, seeding countless worlds with the raw materials for life. The study, supported by the Center for Interstellar Catalysis, shifts our understanding of life’s origins, suggesting its necessary components are far more widespread than ever imagined.
### **The Ongoing Quest: Beyond Proteins to Life’s Full Toolkit**
While the discovery of naturally forming peptides is a monumental step, scientists emphasize that proteins are just one piece of the puzzle. Life as we know it also requires other critical components like membranes, nucleobases, and nucleotides. The research team is now focused on investigating whether these other molecular „ingredients of life” can also form under similar interstellar conditions. As co-author Professor Liv Hornekær notes, these molecules could catalyze further prebiotic reactions. „There’s still a lot to be discovered,” Ioppolo concluded, „but our research shows that many of the building blocks of life are formed out there, and we’ll likely find more in the future.” This work opens a new chapter in understanding our cosmic origins and the potential for life beyond Earth.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034125.htm.