Astrobiology

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.

• Astrobiology: An Overview. Origin of Elements and Formation of Solar System, Planets, and Exoplanets. Astrobiology Education and Public Outreach. Analysis of Extraterrestrial Organic Matter in Murchison Meteorite: A Progress Report. Prebiotic Synthesis of Biochemical Compounds: An Overview. Biochemical Pathways as Evidence for Prebiotic Syntheses. Roles of Silicon in Life on Earth and Elsewhere. Fossil Records for Early Life on Earth. Prebiotic Chemistry: In Water and in the Solid State. Encapsulation of Organic Materials in Protocells. Role of Phosphorus in Prebiotic Chemistry. Cold and Dry Limits of Life. Microorganisms in Space. Search for Life on Mars: An Astrogeological Approach. Elusive Definition of Life: A Survey of Main Ideas. Language and Communication as Universal Requirements for Life. Transition from Abiotic to Biotic: Is There an Algorithm for It? Extraterrestrial Life: What Are We Looking For? Evolutionary Approach to Viruses in Astrobiology. Virolution Can Help Us Understand the Origin of Life. Can Virolution Help Us Understand Recent Human Evolution?

"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