科学家提出检测"镜像生命"的方法

斯特拉思克莱德大学和杜伦大学的研究人员提出了一种预先检测假设性"镜像生命"的技术方案。1这类镜像生命由与地球生物分子结构相反的分子组成，目前尚不存在，但研究人员认为其人工创造可能带来严重的生物安全风险。1

这项发表于《皇家学会开放科学》的研究采用特殊荧光探针和圆偏光发光技术（该技术也被应用于3D电影眼镜）来区分常规生物与镜像对应物。1检测方法通过分析光信号的左右手性质来识别镜像生命，并建议使用多个荧光探针识别不同的细胞结构，以提高检测可靠性并减少假阳性。1由斯特拉思克莱德大学纯化学与应用化学系的Lewis MacKenzie博士领导的研究团队指出，该技术可集成到显微镜、相机和生物细胞平板读取器等多种科学设备中。1

MacKenzie博士表示："我们不期望镜像生命明天就出现，但如果它确实产生，后果可能严重，在需要之前开发检测方法是有道理的。"1

Researchers from the University of Strathclyde and Durham University have proposed a detection technique for hypothetical "mirror life"—organisms composed of molecules with opposite chirality to those found in Earth's biological systems 1. The method employs specialized fluorescent probes and circularly polarized luminescence technology, the same principle used in 3D movie glasses, to distinguish conventional organisms from their mirror counterparts 1.

Although mirror life does not currently exist, scientists warn that its artificial creation could pose severe biosecurity risks, making advance development of detection protocols essential 1. The research, published in Royal Society Open Science under the title "Circularly Polarized Luminescence (CPL) as a Contingency Assay for 'Mirror Life' Bio-Hazards," was led by Dr. Lewis MacKenzie from the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde in collaboration with Professor Robert Pal at Durham University 1. The detection system analyzes the left and right-handed properties of light signals to identify mirror life forms 1.

To enhance reliability and reduce false positives, researchers recommend employing multiple fluorescent probes to detect different cellular structures 1. Dr. MacKenzie stated: "We do not expect mirror life to emerge tomorrow, but if it does occur, the consequences could be severe, and it makes sense to develop detection methods before they are needed" 1. The technology can be integrated into various scientific instruments, including microscopes, cameras, and biological cell plate readers 1.