This interdisciplinary text Astrobiology: An Evolutionary Approach presents astrobiology as a dynamic, developing science of the utmost importance for the future of humanity. Featuring contributions from leaders in physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, molecular biology, ecology, planetary science, geography, and geology, Astrobiology: An Evolutionary Approach discusses the evolution of abiotic matter to biotic matter and emphasizes new discoveries in prebiotic chemistry, such as solid-state (solventless), in/on-water, and multicomponent reactions.
Astrobiology: An Evolutionary Approach describes the most challenging problems involved in the field of astrobiology and invites the reader to become actively involved in their solution.
- Astrobiology: An Overview
- Evolution of the Universe, Starting from the Big Bang
- On the Origins and Distribution of Chemical Elements in the Universe
- Chemical Evolution: Pathways to Complex Organic Chemicals and Macromolecular Systems
- Transition from the Abiotic to Biotic World: Various Hypotheses
- Tracing the Early Evolution of Life
- Biological Life: Darwinian Evolution
- Above and Beyond Competition: The Role of Cooperation in the Evolution of Life
- Life in the Harsh Environments
- The Elusive Definition of Life: A Survey of the Main Ideas
- Search for the Extraterrestrial Life: What Are We Looking For?
- Extraterrestrial Organic Chemical Reservoirs: Meteorites and Beyond
- Prebiotic Chemistry: In the Atmosphere, in Water, and in the Solid State
- Encapsulation of Organic Materials in the Proto-Cells
- Search for Life on Mars
Vera M. Kolb is a chemistry professor at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside. She earned an MS in organic chemistry from Belgrade University and a PhD in organic chemistry from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Dr. Kolb received her training in exobiology (now known as astrobiology) at the NASA Specialized Center of Research and Training in San Diego. She has received the Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Educator Award and has also been inducted into the Southeastern Wisconsin Educators’ Hall of Fame. Dr. Kolb is a recipient of numerous grants from the Wisconsin Space Consortium/NASA and has published more than 150 articles in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and astrobiology.
"Professor Kolb brings us a refreshing set of chapters that provide an update on some of the most fascinating areas of astrobiology, including the origin of life, the search for habitable exoplanets, extremophiles, and the place of viruses in astrobiology. The diversity of chapters and information makes this an excellent read for those new to the field or those seeking new ideas."
– Charles Cockell, The University of Edinburgh
"A broad-ranging volume covering many different aspects of astrobiology, with engaging chapters containing up-to-date reviews by leading authors. Very accessibly written, suitable for senior undergraduate and graduate students. Each chapter finishes with a helpful glossary of terms, reflecting the strongly interdisciplinary subject matter, and useful review questions that could be used in seminar-based teaching. Overall a great astrobiology education resource."
– Nicola McLoughlin, University of Bergen, Norway
"A really comprehensive and unifying book, which will prove useful and enlightening not only to astrobiologists and evolutionary biologists, but also to anyone interested in life emergence and evolution in the Universe."
– Professor Rolando Cardenas, Head of Planetary Science Laboratory, Universidad Central "Marta Abreu" de Las Villas