Navigating life in the extremes: a bibliometric exploration of extremophiles and astrobiology

Abstract

Bibliometric analysis reveals significant research trends and highlights collaborations among institutions and countries within extremophiles and astrobiology. A bibliometric analysis of 309 papers reveals key research trends and collaborations in extremophiles and astrobiology in this research and provides a strategic overview of scientific interest, identifying research gaps and guiding future exploration of life adaptability and extraterrestrial biosignatures. Thus, analysis has systematically assessed trends, research collaborations and emerging topics guiding future research on the adaptability of life and the search for extraterrestrial biosignatures. According to trends, omics technologies, particularly genomics and multi-omics approaches, are emerging as pivotal tools for understanding the genetic and metabolic adaptations that enable extremophiles to thrive in harsh conditions. Also, multi-omics approaches will provide a better understanding of the genetic and metabolic adaptations that allow extremophiles to survive in harsh environments, such as extreme temperatures, high salinity, or acidic and alkaline conditions. These insights deepen our understanding of extremophile biology and support the identification of molecular biosignatures indicative of extraterrestrial life.