Thu. May 30, 2019 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
201A (2F)
convener:Hikaru Yabuta(Hiroshima University, Department of Earth and Planetary Systems Science), Seiji Sugita(Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science Sciece, The University of Tokyo), Misato Fukagawa(National Astronomical Observatory of Japan), Fujishima Kosuke(Tokyo Institute of Technology, Earth-Life Science Institute), Chairperson:Kosuke Fujishima(ELSI 地球生命研究所), Misato Fukagawa(名古屋大学大学院 理学研究科), Seiji Sugita(東京大学大学院 理学系研究科), Hikaru Yabuta(Hiroshima University)
Twenty years have passed since when the field of Astrobiology, which aims to unveil the origins, evolution, and habitability of life by integrating multidisciplinary fields, was established. Individual themes related to Astrobiology, such as chemical evolution in the early Solar System, formation of planetary system, prebiotic chemistry in the early Earth, evolution of life in the Earth's history, extremophile, and habitable planetary environments, has been studied by the knowledge and methods from the multiple fields, which has enabled us to explain "Where we came from" in some ways. However, despite an overwhelming number of investigations and discussions through gathering of the scientists from different fields, there has remained the long-standing unsolved question: How did abiotic materials gain biological function in the Earth and elsewhere in universe? There is still a large gap between prebiotic organic chemistry and biochemistry toward Origins of Life and planetary habitability. Therefore, the JpGU Astrobiology session focuses on pathfinding of "integration of astronomy, geoscience, and biochemistry", which will face an increasing need for the future Astrobiology. In order to enhance our understanding of "What is life", we propose to discuss the biochemical events linked with planetary systems, which is beyond the knowledge in a test tube, by an integration of exoplanets and molecular biology, etc. Through this approach, we will lead the discussions and developments of life-detection strategies for the future exploration of life in universe.
