The Exobiology Branch conducts research in Exobiology seeking
to increase our knowledge of the origin, evolution, and distribution
of life in the universe. Answers are sought to questions such
as: To what extent did chemical evolution occur in the primitive
bodies of the solar system? How did life originate on the Earth,
and what role did minerals play? What evidence exists regarding
the early interplay between biological and environmental evolution?
What do molecular fossils tell us about early microbial evolution?
How can the study of contemporary microbes or geochemical samples
inform us of past events? The work of the staff in this Branch
also provides the conceptual basis and measurement criteria
for future spacecraft missions to other solar system bodies
such as Mars, Titan, and comets, in search of answers to such
fundamental questions in non-terrestrial settings.
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