Ab initio simulations and the Miller prebiotic synthesis experiment

Saitta and Saija (1) claim that ab initio simulations of the 1953 Miller experiment (2) provide new insights into the mechanism of prebiotic synthesis of glycine (Gly) and, by implication, other molecules in this classic experiment. However, decades of research into prebiotic amino acid formation in such experiments conflict with their conclusions. Many aspects of their simulations and conclusions are not applicable to Miller-type experiments and add little insight into prebiotic amino acid synthesis. Saitta and Saija state that “treatment of aqueous solutions under electric fields” indicates that Gly “spontaneously forms” from formamide (HCONH2). However, in Miller’s experiment, a spark was discharged on a gas phase mixture of CH …