Astrobiology brings together research scientists from around the world to test hypotheses and methodologies, and advance theories with regard to the origins of life, the search for life, our understanding of the distribution and evolution of life, and the ways in which life interacts with its environment. Topics included in this multidisciplinary science are discussed in articles by Morrison (2001) in Astrobiology Volume 1, Issue 1; Des Marais et al. (2003) in Astrobiology Volume 3, Issue 2; and Des Marais et al. (2008) in Astrobiology Volume 8, Issue 4, available at www.liebertpub.com/ast. Astrobiology also welcomes research articles in fundamental space biology, that is, articles that discuss the responses of terrestrial life when exposed to conditions (such as microgravity and enhanced radiation) that would apply beyond Earth. Such research is basic to understanding the ability of Earth life to move beyond its planet of origin.