May be currently on Mars and there is no life, but there could be preserved fragments of DNA, according to researcher Craig Venter, previously engaged in decoding the human genome and by creating the world's first synthetic cells. He believes that it is possible to artificially synthesize Martian organisms on the basis of data from the robot.

Previously Venter offered to colonize Mars using synthetic bacteria, and at a recent conference on health issues, conducted by Wired magazine, he told about his plans to send to Mars robotic device DNA sequencing (Venter calls it ' biological teleport"). The tasks of the teleporter will include the screening of local soil in search of DNA sequences or their fragments, and send the results of decoding on the Ground. Thus, there would not be a need to deliver soil samples for research, since scientists have been able to synthesize "Martians" on the basis of genetic information.

It's not just unsubstantiated theory. For several years now Venter and his colleagues conduct experiments on detection of DNA fragments are samples of sea water. Soon will be tested new technologies of search of DNA in California's Mojave desert. A similar technology can be used on Mars, says the scientist. He does not exclude that the device will be ready by the beginning of next mission to Mars that NASA had planned for 2016.

Mars is the best hope of humanity in connection with the search for extraterrestrial life. Although "Viking" in 1976 could not find any traces of existence on the red planet living organisms, experts believe that one cannot say that it has always been lifeless. After all, for example, on Earth there are bacteria - extremophiles that can live deep in the bowels of the planet, without consuming solar energy. So why such microorganisms are not live and Mars? Just don't see them!

Constantly there are also fierce debates about the presence of water on Mars. And most experts still inclined to think that the water's there! In 2006 radar MARSIS found under the surface of the planet's vast accumulations of water ice - and not only at the poles. In particular, the ice filled meteorite crater with a diameter of about 250 kilometers, located under the plain Christe. And last year the specialists from Germany found on the slopes of a Martian canyon, located in the region Melas Small, traces similar to canals on the bottom of which was sulfate compounds, usually formed as a result of oxidation processes under the influence of water. This allowed to conclude that there was once a huge sea.

Traces of water reservoirs were discovered and recently arrived Mars Rover Curiosity. The obtained using telemetry images among the rocks in the Gale crater is seen strewn with gravel river or stream. Found the river bed is located between the field to the North of the crater and the foothills of Acute mountain. According to experts, the size and shape of the stones channel allows to get an idea of what was the length of the river and the speed of the running water in it.

However, if the reservoirs there existed, it was dry even billions of years ago, and fragments of DNA can survive with only around a half million years. So it makes sense to look for only the remains of those organisms which lived on Mars relatively recently.

Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Institute of technology for seven years working on a sequencer ancient DNA and RNA SETG (Search for Extraterrestrial Genomes). In the core of the device is chip, developed by Ion Torrent. We have made the first field trials in the area of one of the active volcanoes in Argentina, where biochemical conditions resemble Martian.

However, Morten Arentoft from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), who led the investigation of the collapse of DNA, believes that on Mars these processes can be completely different. On the one hand, under the influence of radiation on the surface of the red planet may accelerate the collapse of DNA. On the other - in an oxygen-free environment DNA can persist longer than on Earth. But, stresses Mr. Allentown, you should not look for it in solid tissues - most likely it is only within individual cells or in the form of fragments. But without the protective environment, which in the human body, for example, create bones and teeth, DNA degrades faster.

Another assumption of science fiction: what if life can exist not only on the basis of DNA, but also in other forms? Then search on Mars some mythical "fragments", most likely, nothing will give...