Researchers from Harvard University have demonstrated the existence of a systematic group of amino acid polymers across several members of the oldest meteorite class, type CV3. In Physics of Fluids by AIP Publishing, the researchers report that the polymers form organized structures, including crystalline nanotubes and a space-filling lattice of regular diamond symmetry with density estimated to be 30 times less than water.

THIS CHEMISTRY WAS AND IS PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSE

"Because the elements required to form our polymers were present as early as 12.5 billion years ago, and there appears to be a gas phase route to their formation, it is possible that this chemistry was and is present throughout the universe," said author Julie McGeoch, as cited by the website Sciencedaily.

AMINO ACIDS ARE ABLE TO POLYMERIZE IN SPACE WITHIN MOLECULAR CLOUDS

This research was inspired by observations on a small, highly conserved biological protein that entrapped water. The finding suggested that if such a molecule could form in gas phase space, it would aid early chemistry by supplying bulk water. The researchers employed quantum chemistry to show amino acids should be able to polymerize in space within molecular clouds, retaining water from polymerization. Many experiments resulted, using meteorites as the polymer source hence culminating in 3D structures.