New clues to spark of life on Earth

Volcanoes and lightning may have provided the spark that kick-started life on Earth, according to new results from a “forgotten” 1950s experiment.

Researchers used modern techniques to re-analyse “primordial soup” gas samples created in 1958 by pioneering US biochemist Professor Stanley Miller.

They discovered a multitude of amino acids, the basic building blocks of life, which can be assembled together to form proteins.

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In 1953 Prof Miller conducted the famous experiment in which he attempted to recreate the atmospheric conditions present just before life appeared on Earth around four billion years ago and sent an electric spark through the mixture.

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