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Membrane alternatives in worlds without oxygen: Creation of an azotosome

Science Advances, ISSN: 2375-2548, Vol: 1, Issue: 1, Page: e1400067
2015
  • 57
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 156
    Captures
  • 59
    Mentions
  • 215
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    57
  • Captures
    156
  • Mentions
    59
    • News Mentions
      27
      • News
        27
    • Blog Mentions
      20
      • Blog
        20
    • References
      12
      • Wikipedia
        12
  • Social Media
    215
    • Shares, Likes & Comments
      215
      • Facebook
        215

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Article Description

The lipid bilayer membrane, which is the foundation of life on Earth, is not viable outside of biology based on liquid water. This fact has caused astronomers who seek conditions suitable for life to search for exoplanets within the "habitable zone," the narrow band in which liquid water can exist. However, can cell membranes be created and function at temperatures far below those at which water is a liquid? We take a step toward answering this question by proposing a new type of membrane, composed of small organic nitrogen compounds, that is capable of forming and functioning in liquid methane at cryogenic temperatures. Using molecular simulations, we demonstrate that these membranes in cryogenic solvent have an elasticity equal to that of lipid bilayers in water at room temperature. As a proof of concept, we also demonstrate that stable cryogenic membranes could arise from compounds observed in the atmosphere of Saturn's moon, Titan, known for the existence of seas of liquid methane on its surface.

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