Alien Germs Might Pose a Risk to Space Missions to Distant Planets, Study Says

The study shows that mammalian immune cells display a lower activation rate when exposed to peptides containing amino acids that are rare on our planet but are “commonly found on meteorites”.

The immune systems of terrestrial mammals may be hard-pressed to detect and combat germs from beyond our planet, which could be based on amino acids different from those of lifeforms on Earth, phys.org reports citing a new study conducted by scientists from the universities of Aberdeen and Exeter.

According to the media outlet, the researchers conducted their study on mice, testing mammal immune cells’ response to peptides containing two amino acids “that are rare on Earth but are commonly found on meteorites” – isovaline and α-aminoisobutyric acid.

The study’s results show that the immune cells display lower activation levels, as compared to exposure to peptides comprised entirely of amino acids common on Earth.

As Shaefer surmised, the researchers “therefore speculate that contact with extra-terrestrial microorganisms might pose an immunological risk for space missions aiming to retrieve organisms from exoplanets and moons.”

Sourse: sputniknews.com