About
This project sparks wonder in synthetic biology's potential for space by building a community to collaborate on the endless opportunities ahead. We aim to create resources for the iGEM Space Village and complement efforts from the iGEM Space Intiative
What is the iGEM Space Initiative?
iGEM has a long history of teams applying Synthetic Biology to challenges posed by space exploration – from the need for oxygen and renewable food sources, to protection from extreme cold and stratospheric radiation.
Since 2023, and through the iGEM Space Initiative, the iGEM Technology Program is helping teams that are interested in space-related projects by developing useful resources and establishing collaborations and partnerships.
Description
Project ‘Synthetic Biology in Space’ seeks to accelerate research and dialogue around using engineered biology to enable space exploration. Through public outreach and formulating ambitious research proposals, we aim to make interplanetary settlement powered by synthetic organisms a reality within this generation.
Resources
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As an effort to responsibly accelerate space exploration through synthetic biology innovations, Project heads will be authoring a policy whitepaper to serve as a practical resource for current and future iGEM teams exploring "space synbio" projects.
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The paper will analyze the ethical, legal, social and safety considerations of sending engineered organisms into extraterrestrial environments and offer evidence-based policy recommendations for iGEM researchers and advisors. It will provide fundamentals on astrobiology and space law, survey synthetic biology solutions proposed for enabling space travel, assess public perceptions, and offer an expert-informed roadmap for iGEM teams seeking to prudently advance missions with a bio payload to the ISS, Moon, Mars and beyond.
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This is timed at a crucial point for the emerging field of space synthetic biology following recent milestone yeast experiments aboard NASA's Artemis I Moon mission.
Speaker Series
The SynBio in Space project launched on March 15, 2024 and featured the Project Heads and Guest Speakers who began their Space Synbio journeys at the iGEM Competition and are now working in space synthetic biology research and entrepreneurship.
Stay tuned for the list of virtual speakers, dates and RSVP links!
Recruitment is currently closed! You can connect with us on Slack for more information!