
The methyl molecule also plays a crucial role in genetics: in a process called methylation, it regulates gene expression," he said. However, it is an early step in the process which leads to the formation of even more complex molecules which are crucial to life – like proteins and DNA. Carbon exists in different forms, including graphite, diamond and graphene.
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"CH 3 + can react with many molecules and form other more complex species. 18 hours ago &0183 &32 The compound, known as methyl cation (CH 3 +), is a vital molecule for more complex carbon-based molecules. These types of particles are vital to kickstart the reactions to create more complex carbon based molecules that are key to supporting life as we know it, explained Olivier Berne, lead scientist of the study published in Nature on Monday, and an astrophysicist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), to The Register. Known as methyl cation (pronounced cat-eye-on) (CH3+), the molecule is important. CH3+ has been posited by scientists to be of particular importance since the 1970s and 1980s. The methyl cation (CH3+) is one such carbon-based ion. Scientists detect a new carbon compound in space for the first time. Molecular ions containing carbon are especially important because they react with other small molecules to form more complex organic compounds even at low interstellar temperatures.

It's not clear how they were created in the disk exactly – it's possible that methane molecules (CH 4) disassociated to form methyl cations and hydrogen atoms. First detection of crucial carbon molecule. The international team of researchers believe strong UV rays emanating from young nearby stars that lie outside the system provided the energy to form the molecules.
