Abstract
Life in Extreme Environments (LEXEN) is an emerging area of research in which Europe has considerable expertise but a relatively fragmented research infrastructure. The science of such environments has enormous relevance for our knowledge of the diversity and environmental limits of microbial, plant and animal life and the novel strategies employed for survival and growth. Such studies are essential in understanding how life established on the early Earth and in assessing the possibilities for life on other planetary bodies. These environments are also a rich source of novel exploitable compounds. The Work Programme identifies a need for better coordination of LEXEN research and CAREX aims to address this need by developing a clearly identifiable, dynamic and durable community. Establishing this community will encourage greater inter-disciplinarity and increasing knowledge of extreme environments. It will provide a target for young career scientists and allow a more focussed dialogue with other science areas, with funding agencies, with industrial groups and with international organisations outside Europe
Europe