Yogesh Shouche of NCCS at the event on Wednesday. (Express) Yogesh Shouche of NCCS at the event on Wednesday. (Express)

Four major research institutions in biology, astronomy and space science are preparing to undertake advanced studies to trace life in space. The institutions plan to use new high-end instrumentation facilities to seek answers on the origin of life.

“We are nearly ready with the advanced instrumentation facility that will help study microbes in atmosphere. Institutes like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Tata Institute of Fundamental Sciences (TIFR) and National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) plan to embark on new research next year,” said Yogesh Shouche, senior scientist at NCCS.

Shouche was speaking on ‘Search for Life in Space: A Microbial Perspective’, at an event organised at CSIR-NCL on Wednesday as a prelude to the India International Science Festival (IISF).

Even though Earth remains the only planet known to harbour life, scientists have not ruled out the possibility of life elsewhere as there are species found even on Earth that are capable of withstanding extreme heat, cold and acidic conditions.

“The origin of life may not be carbon-based in some other planetary body and Earth-like living conditions cannot be expected there. But what forms the foundation of any life form is the presence of water, which alone permits biochemical reactions,” said Shouche.

Four prominent Pune-based scientific institutions will be a part of the fifth edition of IISF this year, which will be organised in Kolkata next week. Research from CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Agharkar Research Institute, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and NCCS will feature in the science festival, which will be held between November 5 and November 8.

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