China Astrobiology Meeting-Joint-Australasia Astrobiology Meeting 2026
CAM–AAM 2026 is organized by the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS), the Astrobiology Branch of the Palaeontological Society of China, and the Australian Centre for Astrobiology (ACA). It is hosted by the State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, and State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Processes and Resources.
Conference begins
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WELCOME
The first China Astrobiology Meeting (CAM) is kicking off in 2026 by joining up with the biennial Australasia Astrobiology Meeting (AAM) this 28–30 August in Nanjing, China. The aim of this event is to establish connections between the growing Chinese and Australasia astrobiology research communities. This joint meeting will feature keynote and invited speakers from leading institutions and universities across the globe. Conference themes span a large range of disciplines including chemistry, microbiology, geology, space exploration, public outreach and education.
Conference Themes
Earth, Mars and Ocean Worlds
What does Earth’s geologic record tell us about its own past, Mars’ past and the ocean worlds of icy moons?
Prebiotic Small Molecules and Nonlinear Chemistry
What kind of chemical networks were the first generations of prebiotic molecules able to generate? What sort of adaptive “life-like” behaviors can they impart to protocells and microcompartments generally?
Evolution of Core Metabolism and the RNA World
What can extant biochemistry tell us about earlier stages in the evolution of core metabolism and the RNA world? What can RNA chemistry teach us about its own early evolution?
Biosignatures in the Solar System
Are we close to finding extra-terrestrial life in the solar system? What biosignatures should we be looking for and where? How can we measure biosignatures and distinguish them from prebiotic geochemistry?
Outreach and Education
The astrobiology research community is one of the main faces of science seen by the wider public. How can we maintain the public’s trust in astrobiology and science generally?
Sponsorship:
Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Australian Centre for Astrobiology at UNSW