First Detection of Sugars in Meteorites Gives Clues to Origin of Life

An international team has found sugars essential to life in meteorites. The new discovery adds to the growing list of biologically important compounds that have been found in meteorites, supporting the hypothesis that chemical reactions in asteroids – the parent bodies of many meteorites – can make some of life’s ingredients. If correct, meteorite bombardment on ancient Earth may have assisted the origin of life with a supply of life’s building blocks.

• The researchers have discovered ribose and other bio-essential sugars including arabinose and xylose. Ribose is crucial for RNA (ribonucleic acid), which copies genetic codes from DNA and delivers them ....