Series in Astrobiology – serie

Choice Recommended Title, August 2019Read an exclusive interview with Professor Vera Kolb here.Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life on Earth. This exciting and significant field of research also investigates the potential existence and search for extra-terrestrial life in the Solar System and beyond.This is the first handbook in this burgeoning and interdisciplinary field. Edited by Vera Kolb, a highly respected astrobiologist, this comprehensive resource captures the history and current state of the field. Rich in information and easy to use, it assumes basic knowledge and provides answers to questions from practitioners and specialists in the field, as well as providing key references for further study.Features:Fills an important gap in the market, providing a comprehensive overview of the fieldEdited by an authority in the subject, with chapters written by experts in the many diverse areas that comprise astrobiologyContains in-depth and broad coverage of an exciting field that will only grow in importance in the decades ahead

Systems thinking/analysis is widely applied for solving complex problems in engineering and certain other fields. Astrobiology, which inherently involves complex problems, can benefit from such an approach. This book provides the background and methodology of this approach for professionals, upper-level undergraduate students, and others with an interest in astrobiology topics.In addition, this book constitutes a valuable resource not only for astrobiology, but also for its foundational disciplines, e.g., chemistry, physics, astronomy, biology, biochemistry, geology, and planetary geology.FeaturesSurveys of the systems approach to analyzing and understanding multifaceted, complex problems in astrobiology, written by two scientists who also have engineering backgroundsSystems applications to areas important to astrobiology, such as chemical evolution, prebiotic chemistry, geochemical/geophysical settings conducive to emergence of life, robotic space exploration, and much moreWide appeal for all readers interested in the origin and occurrence of life in our Solar System and beyond.

Systems thinking/analysis is widely applied for solving complex problems in engineering and certain other fields. Astrobiology, which inherently involves complex problems, can benefit from such an approach. This book provides the background and methodology of this approach for professionals, upper-level undergraduate students, and others with an interest in astrobiology topics.In addition, this book constitutes a valuable resource not only for astrobiology, but also for its foundational disciplines, e.g., chemistry, physics, astronomy, biology, biochemistry, geology, and planetary geology.FeaturesSurveys of the systems approach to analyzing and understanding multifaceted, complex problems in astrobiology, written by two scientists who also have engineering backgroundsSystems applications to areas important to astrobiology, such as chemical evolution, prebiotic chemistry, geochemical/geophysical settings conducive to emergence of life, robotic space exploration, and much moreWide appeal for all readers interested in the origin and occurrence of life in our Solar System and beyond.

This book addresses the timely subject of systems applications in astrobiology. It demonstrates how astrobiology – a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary field of science – can benefit from adopting the systems approach.Astrobiology draws upon its founding sciences, such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, geology, and planetary sciences. However, astrobiologists can encounter difficulties working across these fields. The systems approach, we believe, is the best contemporary approach to consider astrobiology holistically. The approach is currently used in other fields, such as engineering, which uses systems analysis routinely.Such an approach needs to be learned, both in principle and through examples, from the field. This book features chapters from experts across the field of astrobiology who have applied the systems approach. It will be a valuable guide for astrobiology students at the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels, in addition to researchers in the field, both in academia and the space industry.Key Features:Offers a unique and novel approach to studying and understanding astrobiologyEncourages astrobiologists to apply a holistic systems approach to their work, rather than being bogged down in detailsImparts practical knowledge to readers which can be adopted in different research and job opportunities in the field of astrobiology

This book addresses the timely subject of systems applications in astrobiology. It demonstrates how astrobiology – a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary field of science – can benefit from adopting the systems approach.Astrobiology draws upon its founding sciences, such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, geology, and planetary sciences. However, astrobiologists can encounter difficulties working across these fields. The systems approach, we believe, is the best contemporary approach to consider astrobiology holistically. The approach is currently used in other fields, such as engineering, which uses systems analysis routinely.Such an approach needs to be learned, both in principle and through examples, from the field. This book features chapters from experts across the field of astrobiology who have applied the systems approach. It will be a valuable guide for astrobiology students at the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels, in addition to researchers in the field, both in academia and the space industry.Key Features:Offers a unique and novel approach to studying and understanding astrobiologyEncourages astrobiologists to apply a holistic systems approach to their work, rather than being bogged down in detailsImparts practical knowledge to readers which can be adopted in different research and job opportunities in the field of astrobiology

The first of its kind, this book is a collection of memoirs that describe the lives – not just the science – of some of the people who have advanced our understanding of the conditions for life on Earth and in the universe. Astrobiology became a mainstream topic with the announcement in 1996 that fossilized life had been found in Martian meteorite ALH84001 and that claim has since been discredited. Nonetheless, following the 1992 announcement of the discovery of planets orbiting around a pulsar, it reinvigorated investigations and debate about conditions required for the origin(s) of life on Earth and the possibility of life elsewhere.Scientists from a variety of career stages and disciplines have shared their stories of passion and persistence, as they pave their various educational and scientific career paths and continue to search for answers to some of the biggest questions we have about life on Earth:● What happened in the microseconds after the Big Bang?● How did life form on Earth?● What conditions are hospitable to life elsewhere?● How do stars affect their planets?● What is the future of life on Earth?To understand these big questions, scientists in this book describe focusing on one subject deeply while finding connections across disciplines, an inherent trait of astrobiology. Personal experiences, including struggles, have enhanced their research trajectories.The diversity of topics, perspectives, career stages, and career paths and placements provided by the authors is an appealing read for people who are interested in learning more about the multifaceted field of astrobiology. As such, it can be an important resource for the next generation of scientific investigators and educators.Key features:· The book honours the people (both living and deceased) who made significant contributions to their fields of study, which influence our current understanding of life on and beyond Earth.· The book is a reference for early career scientific investigators and educators to help them learn about the various possible career paths and fields, as well as about some of the successes and challenges that might be experienced as they navigate their own career trajectories.· The level of writing is for the inquisitive person interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), from beginner to expert.

The first of its kind, this book is a collection of memoirs that describe the lives – not just the science – of some of the people who have advanced our understanding of the conditions for life on Earth and in the universe. Astrobiology became a mainstream topic with the announcement in 1996 that fossilized life had been found in Martian meteorite ALH84001 and that claim has since been discredited. Nonetheless, following the 1992 announcement of the discovery of planets orbiting around a pulsar, it reinvigorated investigations and debate about conditions required for the origin(s) of life on Earth and the possibility of life elsewhere.Scientists from a variety of career stages and disciplines have shared their stories of passion and persistence, as they pave their various educational and scientific career paths and continue to search for answers to some of the biggest questions we have about life on Earth:● What happened in the microseconds after the Big Bang?● How did life form on Earth?● What conditions are hospitable to life elsewhere?● How do stars affect their planets?● What is the future of life on Earth?To understand these big questions, scientists in this book describe focusing on one subject deeply while finding connections across disciplines, an inherent trait of astrobiology. Personal experiences, including struggles, have enhanced their research trajectories.The diversity of topics, perspectives, career stages, and career paths and placements provided by the authors is an appealing read for people who are interested in learning more about the multifaceted field of astrobiology. As such, it can be an important resource for the next generation of scientific investigators and educators.Key features:· The book honours the people (both living and deceased) who made significant contributions to their fields of study, which influence our current understanding of life on and beyond Earth.· The book is a reference for early career scientific investigators and educators to help them learn about the various possible career paths and fields, as well as about some of the successes and challenges that might be experienced as they navigate their own career trajectories.· The level of writing is for the inquisitive person interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), from beginner to expert.

Despite major advances in origin-of-life research, a fundamental question remains unresolved: how fragile chemical systems achieved the stability required for life to emerge. Yet growing evidence from geochemistry, prebiotic chemistry, and molecular biology suggests that boron may be one of the most critical—yet unrecognized—elements in the emergence and long-term stability of life, acting as a stabilizer of biomolecules, a guide in early metabolic evolution, and a regulator of biological signalling.This book offers the first comprehensive and interdisciplinary synthesis of boron’s role across the full trajectory of life—from the chemistry of prebiotic environments to the complexity of modern biological systems. Drawing on over four decades of research, it advances a unifying perspective in which life emerges not from chemical complexity alone, but from constraints that enable molecular stability and continuity.At the heart of this framework is the concept of boron as a molecular mediator—a dynamic participant in the transition from chemical systems to biological organization. Through its unique capacity to reversibly coordinate with key biomolecules, boron enables unstable intermediates to persist and evolve. This insight points toward a broader constraint-based principle, in which the emergence of life is governed not by chemical abundance, but by the selective stabilization of viable molecular pathways.Integrating insights from geochemistry, prebiotic chemistry, molecular biology, astrobiology, and nutritional science, the volume bridges traditionally separate disciplines and introduces concepts such as microbiota-accessible boron (MAB) and plasma-accessible borates (PAB). It further highlights boron’s role not only in early chemical evolution but also as a molecular regulator of host–microbiome symbiosis, shaping the interface between microbial communities and their host environment.This book will be of interest to researchers and professionals in astrobiology, origin-of-life studies, geochemistry, molecular biology, and bioinorganic chemistry, as well as advanced students seeking a unifying perspective on life’s emergence.Key Features:First comprehensive volume exploring boron as a foundational factor in the origin and evolution of life.Introduces a constraint-based framework for understanding life’s emergence.Bridges chemistry, biology, and planetary science in a unified conceptual model.

Choice Recommended Title, August 2019Read an exclusive interview with Professor Vera Kolb here.Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life on Earth. This exciting and significant field of research also investigates the potential existence and search for extra-terrestrial life in the Solar System and beyond.This is the first handbook in this burgeoning and interdisciplinary field. Edited by Vera Kolb, a highly respected astrobiologist, this comprehensive resource captures the history and current state of the field. Rich in information and easy to use, it assumes basic knowledge and provides answers to questions from practitioners and specialists in the field, as well as providing key references for further study.Features:Fills an important gap in the market, providing a comprehensive overview of the fieldEdited by an authority in the subject, with chapters written by experts in the many diverse areas that comprise astrobiologyContains in-depth and broad coverage of an exciting field that will only grow in importance in the decades ahead