Focus Groups are research and planning teams formed around topics relevant to specific NASA Astrobiology Institute goals. The Focus Groups, established based on proposals submitted to the NAI, contribute to astrobiology space missions and facilitate long-distance collaborations through electronic networking, advanced telecommunications, virtual conferencing and webcasting.

The Focus Groups' activities address several goals outlined in the Astrobiology Roadmap:

Linking Planetary & Biological Evolution
Past and Present Life on Mars
Bringing Life with Us Beyond Earth
Planetary Protection
Extremes of Life
Life's Precursors & Habitats in the Outer Solar System
Effects of Climate & Geology on Habitability

The search for extraterrestrial life means pushing the technological envelope. NASA has always been at the forefront of technological innovation, and in the sphere of astrobiology, these Focus Groups are helping to maintain that tradition.