One of the particularly interesting chemical properties that are giving us some insight into our organic world is chirality. Chirality is a geometric property of most biochemical molecules that makes them different than their mirror images, just like our left and right hand are.

Scientist believe that chiral molecules could have been caused by electrons from nuclear decay in the early days of evolution. This means, they could explain how life on planet Earth evolved. One of these “handy” molecules is propylene oxide and it was found near the center of our Milky Way galaxy.

In our Splice Summer Edition, we are featuring the video “This Discovery Shows Life Might Have Come From Space” where Trace Dominguez from DNews explains why finding chiral molecules in interstellar space matters. Enjoy!

 

Blazka Orel, MSc, BioSistemika LLC