How did life on Earth start ? And could something similar happen on another planet ( or lunar month ) ? It is not an well-off question , nor is it one we have a satisfactory answer to – yet . A Rutgers University - head squad of scientist called mystery have been given an ( approximately ) $ 6 million Ulysses Simpson Grant by NASA to investigate the matter further over the next five class .
There is one speculation that comes down to something call a " protein nanomachine " . These are specific enzymes formed by interaction between amino group acids , which play a part in many all-important biological processes , even using the oxygen we breathe to power our jail cell – a process we can all agree is crucial to life story . Before you go all Scientologist and picture niggling foreign starship bringing these life - forming compound to Earth , these protein nanomachines were not planted by some advanced exo - civilization but delivered naturally by meteorite .
Paul G Falkowski is the master investigator of the project and a professor at Rutgers University , New Brunswick . In an interview withRutgers Today , he explained exactly what it is ENIGMA ( Evolution of Nanomachines in Geospheres and Microbial Ancestors ) is trying to attain .
" Life literally is electric,“saidFalkowski . " We breathe in O and respire out water vaporization and carbon dioxide , and in that process we shift hydrogen atoms , which contain a proton and an electron , to oxygen to make urine ( H20 ) . We move electrons from the nutrient we eat to the atomic number 8 in the atmosphere to derive zip . Every being on Earth move electrons to generate energy . "
Therefore , lifespan itself relies on this movement of electrons . scientist do n’t yet know how these processes first evolved . What they do love , explained Falkowski , is that in the planet ’s very early history , amino window pane move around to Earth on meteorite . The ENIGMA squad suspect that some of these combine to form nanomachines before life history began .
" Each metre we take a breath , an enzyme [ a nanomachine ] in every prison cell reserve you to transfer electrons to oxygen , " he added . " Enzymes , like all protein , are made up of amino Zen , of which there are 20 that are used in life . "
Now , they are assay to recreate the unconscious process with the ten-spot of M of protein structures held in Rutgers ' Protein Data Bank .
If rise correct , this would excuse not just how spirit developed here on Earth but how it has in the past , does in the present , or could in the future tense on other planets . In the last X , stargazer have discovered more than 3,700 planets outside our Solar System , some of which could – potentially – harbor life-time .
" Many of these are potentially rocky planets that are close enough to their star that they may have liquid water , and we want to try and understand if the gases on those planets are created by life sentence , such as the oxygen on Earth , " Falkowski explained .
However , he cogitate it is unlikely we will find evidence to essay the existence of life on Mars anytime shortly .
