Fatty Acids

Scientists have discovered a hidden chemical signature that could reveal alien life by looking for patterns in the organization of molecules. This signature is found in the statistical distribution of amino acids and fatty acids and consistently differs from nonliving chemistry. The discovery provides a new way to hunt for alien life.

Scientists discovered that the protein PEX11 regulates peroxisome division and size in plant cells during early growth. Altering key genes caused abnormally large peroxisomes, but introducing a yeast version of PEX11 restored balance, revealing a conserved mechanism across species.