March 08, 2020

An Unusual Source of Protein

Scientists examining a meteorite think they have discovered a protein inside it. This is significant because, while amino acids have been found in space rocks, proteins had not. The researchers are reasonably sure that the protein is not due to terrestrial contamination due to its isotope signature and the fact that the protein is like nothing ever seen before. 

The hemolithin protein found by the researchers was a small one, and was made up mostly of glycine, and amino acids. It also had oxygen, lithium and iron atoms at its ends—an arrangement never seen before. 


"Hemolethin appears to be a new word invented just for this protein. but that's not NEARLY as important as the validating fact that one actually CAN find protein in space!"



Posted by: The Brickmuppet at 07:19 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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1 Extraterrestrial proteins being discovered at exactly the moment that a highly infectious virus is sweeping the globe seems like excellent grist for grade-Z science fiction movies.

Posted by: Canthros at Sun Mar 8 22:54:34 2020 (mToqK)

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