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Synthetic Biology, Microbes and NASA’s MissionsSynthetic biology – creating new capabilities with life – promises to create a innovative future for planet Earth, from fields as diverse as pharmaceuticals to manufacturing, agriculture and nanotechnology. Progress can be stymied by such considerations as economics, politics, legal and philosophical issues surrounding GMOs. Often solutions to these problems already exist, so it is difficult for a new, superior method to displace the old. As we move humans beyond Earth, to long duration stays in the International Space Station, and then onward to the Moon and Mars, the challenges of supporting human life will need radical new solutions. For example, while life on Earth uses an enzymatic machinery which evolved close to 3 billion years ago, synthetic biology promises to be able to engineer the systems to adapt to current natural or industrial environments. A focus on solutions off planet require a focus on a circular economy. While there are new constraints, such as worrying about the mass of a solution, constraints offer opportunities for game-changing solutions that will then allow revolutions back on our home planet.
Document ID
20250005568
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
Lynn J Rothschild
(Ames Research Center Mountain View, United States)
Date Acquired
May 28, 2025
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: ASM Microbe
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Country: US
Start Date: June 19, 2025
End Date: June 23, 2025
Sponsors: American Society for Microbiology
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 393748.10.24.01.21
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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