DNA unmasked in the red rain cells of Kerala

Gangappa, Rajkumar; Hogg, Stuart I.

doi:10.1099/mic.0.062711-0

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Later we argued that the result of DAPI staining is not conclusive because of the continuous auto-fluorescence of the red cells, when its outer red pigment was removed [32]. The wide auto fluorescence behavior of the depigmented red cells has been described by Louis & Kumar [32] and Gangappa & Hogg [31]. Hence the blue fluorescence is not due to DNA rather due to autofluorescence of the red cells.…”

Section: Evidences For Unusual Nature and Extraterrestrial Origin Of mentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Reports of DNA detection using DAPI staining by Microscopic Probe technique after pigment removal by DMSO showed positive results [31]. Later we argued that the result of DAPI staining is not conclusive because of the continuous auto-fluorescence of the red cells, when its outer red pigment was removed [32].…”

Section: Evidences For Unusual Nature and Extraterrestrial Origin Of mentioning

confidence: 90%

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Red Rain Cells of Kerala as a Possible Carrier of the Diffuse Interstellar Bands and the UV Extinction Bump

Kumar¹,

Wickramasinghe²,

Louis³

2019

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Despite various proposals, no conclusive identification exists for the carriers of diffuse interstellar absorption bands DIBs and the UV extinction bump at 217.5 nm. The red rain cells of Kerala show strong absorption features near 216.5 nm and several weak absorption features in the wavelength region 400 to 900 nm which are superimposed on a broader blue-UV absorption peak. The red pigment extracted from the cells show strong peaks at 334 nm and 440 nm along with multitude of weak peaks. The measured absorption peaks are compared with that of DIBs and the UV bump. The higher peak widths for red cells in comparison with DIBs is attributed to the temperature difference between space environment and laboratory. Our results of the absorption spectra of red rain cells show significant correlation with the reported wavelengths of numerous DIBs and the UV extinction bump of the interstellar medium, thus showing that the red rain cells, which are of suspected extraterrestrial origin, is a plausible carrier of DIBs and the UV extinction bump.

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Section: Evidences For Unusual Nature and Extraterrestrial Origin Of mentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Evidences For Unusual Nature and Extraterrestrial Origin Of mentioning

confidence: 90%

Red Rain Cells of Kerala as a Possible Carrier of the Diffuse Interstellar Bands and the UV Extinction Bump

Kumar¹,

Wickramasinghe²,

Louis³

2019

AdAp

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Morphological and Molecular Analysis Calls for a Reappraisal of the Red Rain Cells of Kerala

2013

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Early studies on the coloured particles that fell as red rain over southern India identified them as unicellular eukaryotes such as members of the red algae or fungi; however, the results of the present investigation are not consistent with this designation. Using transmission electron microscopy, we have demonstrated significant differences in the ultrastructure when compared with representative species from these other groups. Most notably, the red rain cells show no evidence of typical eukaryotic internal structures such as mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, comparisons based on elemental composition using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, as well as Raman spectral signatures demonstrate significant dissimilarities in their molecular composition. The identity and origins of the red rain cells remain an enigma; however, our findings are more consistent with an unidentified prokaryote, and thus suggest that previous attempts at their identification should be reappraised.

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