Many fragments of asteroids and space junk that pass through our planet's atmosphere are vaporized before they even reach the ground.
And yet, not only is DNA capable of successfully overcoming this process, it still retains its ability to transfer genetic information even after flying in the vacuum of space. This has been confirmed by a team of researchers from the University of Zurich coordinated by Oliver Ullrich, professor at the Institute of Anatomy of that institution.
Scientists attached DNA molecules to the outer structure of the Texus-49 mission rocket that survived liftoff , exposure to ultraviolet radiation, cold from space, and re-entry into the atmosphere, during which temperatures can be reached. very high. The experts not only verified that the samples were still there, but that even most of them maintained their ability to exchange information, which they tested with bacteria and connective tissue cells.
According to these experts in the journal PLOS ONE , the results of this experiment show that it is not improbable , despite all the precautions, that our own ships can carry – or even have already carried – DNA from Earth to other planets .
Photo: Adrian Mettauer
