NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)

Pennsylvania State University

Executive Summary

The Evolution of a Habitable Planet

Project Reports

Chemical Investigations of Hydrogen cyanide Polymers and Their Possible Role in the Origin of Protein/Nucleic Acid Based Life (Minard)

Evolution of a Habitable Planet (Arthur)

Evolution of a Habitable Planet (Brantley)

Evolution of a Habitable Planet (Kump)

Evolution of Atmospheric O2, Climate, and Biosphere (Ohmoto)

Examination of the Microbial Diversity Found in Ice Cores (Brenchley)

Genomic Record of the Earth's Early Biosphere (Hedges)

Investigations to Elucidate Influence of Photolosys on Earths Earth Atmosphere (Castleman)

Isotopic Studies of the Precambrian Earth and Element Cycling Processes (Pitt)

Laboratory Microbial Simulations (House)

Modeling Early Atmospheric Composition and Climate (Kasting)

Oxygen metabolism and oxidatie stress in anaerobic microorganisms (Ferry)

Planetary Habitability and Life Detection (Sigurdsson)

Search for Planets Around Evolved Stars (Wolszczan)

EPO Reports

Women In Science and Engineering Research (WISER) Program

Dual Title Ph.D. Program in Astrobiology

Live radio interview on "The Space Show"

Astrobiology Undergraduate Minor

Life in Extreme Environments Workshop for Educators

Solar System to the Stars Workshop for Educators

Space Day 2006 at Penn State

Life On Other Planets: Searching for E.T. Student Camp

Astrobiology in NASA Explorer Schools

Astrobiology public outreach - Penn State Astrobiology Research Center

The Paleobiology Database Summer Course in Analytical Paleobiology

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 (Found: 5)
• Objective 1.2: Indirect and direct astronomical observations of extrasolar habitable planets (Found: 2)

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 (Found: 2)

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

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

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

• Objective 4.1: Earth's early biosphere (Found: 8)
• Objective 4.2: Foundations of complex life (Found: 3)
• Objective 4.3: Effects of extraterrestrial events upon the biosphere (Found: 2)

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

• Objective 5.1: Environment-dependent, molecular evolution in microorganisms (Found: 4)
• Objective 5.2: Co-evolution of microbial communities (Found: 4)
• Objective 5.3: Biochemical adaptation to extreme environments (Found: 2)

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 (Found: 6)
• Objective 6.2: Adaptation and evolution of life beyond Earth (Found: 1)

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

• Objective 7.1: Biosignatures to be sought in Solar System materials (Found: 1)
• Objective 7.2: Biosignatures to be sought in nearby planetary systems (Found: 1)