Scientists have discovered a new kind of alien life form based on methane and not oxygen that can apparently metabolize and reproduce like life on Earth.

Chemical engineers and astronomers from Cornell University have produced a model that can thrive in alien worlds such as harsh, cold Titan, a giant moon of Saturn. Titan consists of vast seas of liquid methane (not water) that could produce methane based, oxygen-free living cells.

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The team theorized that a unique cell membrane composed of organic nitrogen compounds can thrive in liquid methane temperatures of 292 degrees below zero.

On Earth, each cell consists of a water based phospholipid membrane that is strong yet permeable and holds organic matter inside. These membranes are made from a vesicle called a liposome.

Now, scientists seek answers as to how life can thrive in alien worlds, especially newly discovered ones located in the habitable zone of their star systems. This could also lead to alien life thriving in methane below freezing point.

The team of engineers theorized the existence of a cell membrane called an azotosome, which means nitrogen body. This will consist of nitrogen, carbon and hydrogen molecules existing in the cryogenic seas of Titan but that exhibit the same stability and flexibility of a water-based liposome on Earth.

Engineers used a molecular dynamics technique that screens compounds from methane and can be used to build membranes that can hold life. Scientists found acrylonitrile azotosome shows good stability and has a barrier to block decomposition. It lso has a flexibility similar to the phospholipid membranes found on Earth.

On Titan, scientists found acrylonitrile, which is a colorless, poisonous and liquid organic compound also used for making acrylic fibers and thermoplastics on Earth.

The next step is to demonstrate how these cells can behave in a methane environment and can possibly produce methane-based cells capable of reproduction and metabolism like the ones here on Earth, according to study lead author Paulette Clancym.

This study was published on the journal, Science Advances.  

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