DNA Building Blocks could be built in Space

November 5, 2011

National Aeronautics and Space Administration funded researchers have discovered proof that a few building blocks of DNA, found in meteorites were probably shaped in space
This research supports the theory that a kit of ready-made parts created in space and delivered to Earth by meteorite and comet impacts assisted the origin of life
The finding increases proof that the chemistry within asteroids and comets is competent of creating building blocks of vital biological molecules
The team discovered adenine and guanine, which are constituents of DNA called nucleobases, as well as hypoxanthine and xanthine
The team also discovered trace amounts of three molecules related to nucleobases: purine, 2,6-diaminopurine, and 6,8-diaminopurine; the latter two almost never used in biology