New bacteria redefines life as we know it

[zadkiel91]

Nasa just discovered the first microbe known to life to be able to use arsenic in its DNA structure in place of phosphorous, which is used by all other known life forms.

I think that now we certainly have to broaden our search parameters when looking for new life. Here is the link to this incredible discovery =D

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-20024450-52.html?tag=mncol

[Nyokou]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

Pretty ****ing cool stuff. That bacteria is badass.

[banditcom]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

The replies in this thread make me happy I visit this forum once a week or less.

[Patashu]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

lol at everyone who thinks this is inconsequential

hundreds of papers are going to be written about this kind of thing

[Aldentron]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

My understanding from the article I read earlier on Gizmodo was that before this, scientists were only looking for life forms that have the same DNA build as we do, with phosporous, sulfur, etc.

This means that now they will have to broaden their search to not only arsenic, but every other chemical, too. Which means we are more likely to find other forms of life now than we ever have been.

So yes, this redefines life as we know it.

[Sullyman2007]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

The replies in this thread make me happy I visit this forum once a week or less.

ffr dude

[OneHandNow]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

replace my phosphorus with arsenic

[Sprite-]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

Wow this is really an awesome find.

[jimerax]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

This is interesting material, I saw this news while ago.

[WolfXhunter]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

[travman301]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

That's amazing. D:

[Rubin0]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

How can anyone think this isn't interesting? This is a great example of how science can never prove anything. It can only disprove all of our assumptions. I always believed that the Science community's biggest flaw has always been that they are always looking for earth-like qualities on other planets. People have this assumption that our way is the only way...meaning life can only be sustained in other places the way it is sustained here. I don't want to get into a whole religious debate but I really do think it has an effect on how research is done, even if many scientists do consider themselves atheist or agnostic. This will hopefully broaden our scope. Can't wait until we find those damn aliens.

[kmay]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

in my bio class we read a paper about a bacteria that could eat the green house gases. it was found in some very acidic area i can't recall much about it off the top of my head, but it is very interesting and could possible slow/stop the deterioration of the ozone.


this article is very interesting. i would love to get in a field like this, but it takes a lot to make a name for yourself in this kind of field. you need to have amazing funding and a lot of support to be able to find stuff such as this, or extreme luck.

altough I'm not getting how something with arsenic in their DNA is very beneficial. Hopefully in the near future we can discover the uses for this mutation

[Bill Kaulitz]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

They need to find the cure to cancer. That should be number one priority. =/

Besides...Nasa...

Should be also looking for other planets to live on. What's with this ****?

[Patashu]

Re: New bacteria redefines life as we know it

let's cure cancer

pros:
no more millions of dollars spent keeping people with cancer alive indefinitely because THOU MUST
cons:
people now have to be cared for well into old age more of the time

eh

let's cure diabetes instead, b/c that doesn't kill people just makes them hilariously expensive for their whole life