NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)

University of California, Los Angeles

Executive Summary

Untitled

Project Reports

Serpentinization - part of the Geobiology and Geochemistry of Early Earth Project

Characterization of Earth's Early Life

Earth's Early Environment and Life

Electrochemical isotope effects with applications to stable isotope fractionation in transition metals

Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of Mass-independent sulfur isotope effects-part of the Geobiology and Geochemistry of Early Earth project

Extrasolar Planetary Systems

Extrasolar Planetary Systems and the Potential for Terrestrial Planets

From Stars to Genes

From Stars to Genes: Addition to Extrasolar Planetary Systems

Genome Evolution and Innovation

Genomic Approach to Understanding of the Evolution of Sulfur Metabolisms

Geobiology and the Geochemistry of Early Earth

Geochemical and Geochemistry of Early Earth - Isotope Stratigraphy

Geochemical Production of Methane on Mars

The astrochemistry of Protoplanetary Systems and the meteorite rRecord - Part of the Extrasolar Planetary Systems Project

EPO Reports

Project Reports

Organized by Astrobiology Roadmap Objective

Goal 1: Understand the nature and distribution of habitable environments in the Universe

• Objective 1.1: Models of formation and evolution of habitable planets (6 reports)
• Objective 1.2: Indirect and direct astronomical observations of extrasolar habitable planets (5 reports)

Goal 2: Explore for past or present habitable environments, prebiotic chemistry and signs of life elsewhere in our Solar System

• Objective 2.1: Mars exploration (2 reports)
• Objective 2.2: Outer Solar System exploration (2 reports)

Goal 3: Understand how life originates from cosmic and planetary precursors

• Objective 3.1: Sources of prebiotic materials and catalysts (2 reports)
• Objective 3.2: Origins and evolution of functional biomolecules (1 reports)
• Objective 3.3: Origins of energy transduction (1 reports)
• Objective 3.4: Origins of cellularity and protobiological systems (1 reports)

Goal 4: Understand how past life on Earth interacted with its changing planetary and Solar System environment

• Objective 4.1: Earth's early biosphere (3 reports)
• Objective 4.2: Foundations of complex life (4 reports)
• Objective 4.3: Effects of extraterrestrial events upon the biosphere (4 reports)

Goal 5: Understand the evolutionary mechanisms and environmental limits of life

• Objective 5.1: Environment-dependent, molecular evolution in microorganisms (2 reports)
• Objective 5.2: Co-evolution of microbial communities (2 reports)
• Objective 5.3: Biochemical adaptation to extreme environments (1 reports)

Goal 6: Understand the principles that will shape the future of life, both on Earth and beyond

• Objective 6.1: Environmental changes and the cycling of elements by the biota, communities, and ecosystems (2 reports)
• Objective 6.2: Adaptation and evolution of life beyond Earth (1 reports)

Goal 7: Determine how to recognize signatures of life on other worlds and on early Earth

• Objective 7.2: Biosignatures to be sought in nearby planetary systems (2 reports)