New Frontiers in Astrobiology

Dr. Rebecca Thombre has worked as Research Scientist at Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Washington, USA, Visiting Researcher at University of Kent, UK and an Assistant Professor in Biotechnology at Modern College, Pune, India. She has an experience of more than 18 years in Microbiology, Space microbiology and Molecular Biology. She has an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in Microbiology from University of Mumbai. Her doctoral research focused on studying the extremozyme CGTase from alkaliphiles isolated from Lonar lake, a meteorite impact crater. Her postdoctoral research was on Astrobiology studies related to the physiology and response of extremophiles to space-related stress and simulated Mars conditions like perchlorate, salinity, hypergravity, microgravity and impact stress. She received the European Union - Europlanet Transnational Access (TA) travel award for studying extremophiles from salt lagoons in Spain. She was the Principal Scientific Investigator for projects on Astrobiology funded by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) - SPPU Space Technology cell. She has published more than 50 papers, 12 book chapters, 3 books and worked as an Editor and Reviewer for many journals published by Frontiers, Springer, Taylor and Francis CRC Press and Elsevier. Parag Vaishampayan is the Space Biology Portfolio Scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. He providesoverall scientific leadership and direction to maintain the scientific integrity of projects within the ARC Space Biology Portfolio. Hesupports more than 70 active space biology projects to better understand how spaceflight affects living systems in simulated groundbasedexperiments, the International Space Station (ISS), and preparing future human exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit (BLO).Before joining Ames, he worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) since 2008. He has successfully managed several multi-year,multi-institutional research projects. He has supported planetary protection implementation for several NASA missions, including MarsScience Laboratory (Curiosity rover), InSight, Mars2020 (Perseverance rover), Mars Cube One or MarCO, and Psyche. His researchwork has appeared in more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and more than 50 presentations. He was instrumentalin developing and implementing several novel molecular approaches, instruments, and bioinformatics analysis tools widely used bymicrobial ecologists. He is a leading microbial ecologist and bioinformatician working in the field of space biology, astrobiology, andplanetary protection. He is the recipient of several prestigious honors and awards, such as the NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal(2017), JPL Explorer Award (2016), Voyager Award (2015, 2016), and Mariner Award (2012).

"New Frontiers in Astrobiology presents a simple and concise overview of theemerging field of astrobiology....This book provides a brief overview of the current research and future status of this fascinating field. The book covers a wide range of topics from the history of astrobiology, the Big Bang, prebiotic chemistry, theories of the origin of life, extreme environments on Earth, and the quest for intelligent life in space....This book takes critical perspectives to analyze the new frontiers in astrobiology post-Mars 2020/ExoMars missions that encompass the latest developments in the detection of biosignatures and habitability beyond our solar system (exomoons and exoplanets). The book is a valuable resource for students, researchers, and scientists who seek greater insights into understanding the current status and future of astrobiology." --Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin

• 1. Standards of evidence in the search for extra-terrestrial life2. Prebiotic chemistry: From dust to molecules and beyond3. Astrochemistry: Ingredients of life in space4. Water and organics in meteorites5. From building blocks to cells6. Microbial life in space7. Habitability in the Solar System beyond the Earth and the search for life8. Habitable exoplanets9. Applications of omics in life detection beyond Earth10. Life detection in space: Current methods and future technologies11. Future of life in the Solar System and beyond12. Planetary protection: Scope and future challenges13. Universal constraints to life derived from artificial agents and games