Life on Earth could have originated in hydrothermal vents deep underwater. Identification of these sources can help mankind in the search for signs of life on other planets.

This is according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The details were told to Talker News by the lead researcher of the study, Dr. Silvia Holler from the University of Trento (Italy).

The mystery of the origin of life on Earth is still a mystery to scientists. Back in the mid-19th century, Charles Darwin made the assumption that life on the planet could have originated in "some warm little pond", the so-called "primary soup". We are talking about a hypothetical warm liquid in which all the elements necessary for the formation of life were collected.

It is only known for certain that life on our planet originated about four billion years ago.

Now scientists suggest that life began somewhere deep underwater in hydrothermal vents. The researchers said that inorganic structures have been found in these springs, which under certain conditions can include organic molecules and form primitive cell membranes.

"This work required collaboration between researchers from different disciplines such as biochemistry, astrobiology and geology. Alkaline hydrothermal vents have become one possible option for the origin of life on Earth and beyond," Holler said.

As part of the study, scientists replicated the conditions that could have led to the development of life in hot hydrothermal vents fed by the heat of underwater volcanoes.

The scientists were able to determine that the inorganic structures found in this environment may include organic molecules that form new hybrid organic-inorganic structures.

Such structures may support and contribute to the formation of primitive cell membranes that make life possible.

"Our work opens up many research opportunities. Larger libraries of compounds can be tested to create inorganic structures and new organic compounds to interact with," Holler noted.

In the future, the results of this work could be applied to the future reproduction of life on other planets or to improve the efficiency and accuracy of drug action on the human body.

Holler is convinced that further "research is very promising".

Earlier OBOZREVATEL told about the fact that the ancient meteorite changed the Earth and could have contributed to the emergence of life.

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