Japan: Experts discover amino acids in asteroid sample fetched by Hayabusa2 probe

In a major breakthrough, Japanese researchers have discovered over 20 types of ami acids in asteroid samples fetched by Hayabusa2 craft. probe was launched by Japanese Aero Exploration ncy (JAXA) in 2014 to asteroid Ryugu with aim to advance asteroid exploration techlogy. After travelling 3.2 billion km on an elliptical orbit around sun over three years, craft arrived at its destination 300 million kilometres away and returned to Earth with samples in December 2020. Hayabusa2's capsule collected around 5.4 grams of samples, which are w being examined to find origins of universe. 

(Ryugu asteroid samples collected by Hayabusa2; Im: JAXA)

What are Ami acids?

Ami acids are considered fundamental building blocks of life as y are used by living organisms to make proteins, which in turn are called  workhorse molecules of life. For perspective, just like an alphabet contains 26 letters, an organism uses 20 different ami acids in a huge variety of arrangements to build millions of different proteins. Even scientists believe that life on Earth began after a chemical reaction resulted in formation of ami acids which in turn formed proteins and eventually life on this planet thriving. However, many experts believe that some of life-forming ingredients were delivered to Earth by meteorites that crashed millions of years ago.

Ami acids discovered in Ryugu samples

revelation of ami acid discovery was made by an official from Japan's Education Ministry, Japan Today reported. He said that ami acids discovered are extremely important as y would help in quest to understand  origin of universe and ultimately life. Launched by JAXA in collaboration with  University of Tokyo and Hiroshima University among ors, Hayabusa2 had delivered samples without exposing m to outside air or even sunlight. 

tably, previous studies on samples have resulted in discovery of water and organic matter, making it an even more promising subject of research. However, this is t first time scientists have found ami acids on rocks. In 2009, NASA anunced to have traced presence of ami acids on samples of comet Wild 2 brought home by ncy's Stardust craft. " discovery of glycine (type of ami acid) in a comet supports idea that fundamental building blocks of life are prevalent in , and strengns argument that life in universe may be common rar than rare," said Dr. Carl Pilcher, Director of NASA Astrobiology Institute which co-funded research said in a statement.