Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Arsenic Life Disputed

In December 2010, as reported in this blog, a researcher concluded a certain bacteria could replace phospherous with arsenic in its DNA.  As biologists see phospherous as one of the essential building blocks of all life, that claim was a big deal.

Since then, however, the arsenic claim has been disputed.  Two studies question the methodology used in the initial paper, arguing it wasn't stringent enough to support such a potentially revolutionary conclusion.

The lead author of the arsenic paper supports the new studies, saying she welcomes research on the question.

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