Astrobiology of life on Earth

Astrobiology is mistakenly regarded by some as a field confined to studies of life beyond Earth. Here, we consider on Earth through an astrobiological lens. Whereas classical microbiology historically focused various anthropocentric sub-fields (such fermented foods or commensals and pathogens crop plants, livestock humans), addressing key biological questions via approaches can further our understanding all We highlight potential implications this approach the articles in Environmental Microbiology special issue ‘Ecophysiology Extremophiles’. They report places/processes including low-temperature environments chemically diverse saline- hypersaline habitats; aspects sulphur metabolism lakes, dysoxic marine waters, thermal acidic springs; biology extremophile viruses; survival terrestrial extremophiles surface Mars; soils crusts rock-associated microbes deserts; subsurface deep biosphere, salticle formed within Triassic halite; interactions with igneous sedimentary rocks. These studies, which here, contribute spatiotemporal reach Earth'sfunctional tenacity life. Their findings will help set stage for future work constraints life, how organisms adapt evolve circumvent these constraints.