To better understand the originof life on Earth, Nasa researchers led by an Indian scientist are creating concoctions of organics or carbon bearing molecules, on ice in a lab.

The research team at Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, is the first direct look at the organic reactions that take place on icy particles in the frigid reaches of our solar system, and in the even chillier places between stars.

Scientists think that the basic ingredients of life, including water and organics, began their journey to Earth on these lonesome ice particles, a Nasa statement said.

The ice and organics would have found their way into comets and asteroids, which then fell to Earth, delivering “prebiotic” ingredients that could have jump-started life.

The various steps needed to go from icy organics to slime molds are not clear, but the new findings help explain how the process works.