Kathleen Londry, microbiology, described the futuristic field of astrobiology in a presentation titled, The Study of Life in the Universe. Astrobiology is a growing field, and includes astronomers, biologists, chemists and geologists who are working to understand what makes a planet suitable for life, and whether or not such suitable conditions exist in places other than Earth. Londry described her own research on microbes that can survive in extreme conditions. Such organisms, she said, may offer clues about what life forms scientists might find elsewhere in our galaxy.

Interesting web sites for astrobiology:

General sites with news articles
NASA Astrobiology Institute
Astrobiology.com
Astrobiology magazine
Space.com
Mars bugs
 
Example topics
Microbial mats article
Focus on microbial mats
Mars exploration rover mission
ArchaeaWeb: Exobiology
Microbes at NASA

Further reading
Primer on astrobiology
Books related to astrobiology
Center for Mars exploration
Wikipedia
 
Educational resources
The living universe (Thinkquest)
Science at NASA - Education
NASA Quest
Astrobiology curriculum
SETI Educational curriculum
Space Biology
Looking for Life
Mars Education Program
NASA Space Place
Space Science Institute
NAI for teachers
Microbial Life (educational resource)

Astrobiology careers
What it's like to be an astrobiologist
Astrobiology education and careers
Astrobiology.com guide to careers
 
Astrobiology in Canada
Spaceref.ca
Canadian Space Agency