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#1 2015-09-16 17:15:43

Void
Member
Registered: 2011-12-29
Posts: 6,975

Synthetic Biology

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_biology
http://news.discovery.com/tech/biotechn … 141107.htm

Their calculations show that by turning to synthetic biology they could reduce payloads. Specifically, they could reduce the amount of fuel needed by 56 percent; they could reduce food by 38 percent; they could reduce the amount of materials needed to build a habitat for six people by 85 percent; they could reduce pharmaceuticals by 100 percent.

“We’ve got a long way to go since experimental proof-of-concept work in synthetic biology for space applications is just beginning, but long-duration manned missions are also a ways off,” says Menezes.

In short, there’s plenty of time to perfect such a system. But the real-world tests don’t have to start with Mars. The plan works for a trip to the Moon, as well.

I found a mention of "Spirulina" elsewhere, seemed to indicate that synthetic biology might do something with it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirulina … upplement)

Nutrition:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirulina … in_content

But maybe you were aware of it previously.


Done.

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#2 2018-10-27 14:35:45

jfenciso
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From: Philippines
Registered: 2018-10-27
Posts: 89
Website

Re: Synthetic Biology

The best thing to do is to engineer a bacteria which could convert a martian CO2 into a precursor reagent for rocket fuel. I hope this is possible.


I'm Jayson from the Philippines. Graduate of Master of Science in Botany at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna. I am specializing in Plant Physiology, and have a minor degree in Agronomy. My research interests are Phytoremediation, Plant-Microbe Interaction, Plant Nutrition, and Plant Stress Physiology.

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#3 2018-10-27 15:35:16

SpaceNut
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From: New Hampshire
Registered: 2004-07-22
Posts: 28,747

Re: Synthetic Biology

No need to generic engineer them as we can just import them and feed the colony as we grow the amount of them to creat fuel which is possible in the form of methane.
Of course there are those that would want to keep mars prestine by not bring any life forms regarless of how small they might be.

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#4 2018-10-27 23:50:50

jfenciso
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From: Philippines
Registered: 2018-10-27
Posts: 89
Website

Re: Synthetic Biology

If you didn't prefer a genetic engineering, it will take more time to study the Martian microbes which have the ability to produce a precursor reagent for rocket fuel. smile


I'm Jayson from the Philippines. Graduate of Master of Science in Botany at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna. I am specializing in Plant Physiology, and have a minor degree in Agronomy. My research interests are Phytoremediation, Plant-Microbe Interaction, Plant Nutrition, and Plant Stress Physiology.

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#5 2018-10-28 04:57:07

elderflower
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Registered: 2016-06-19
Posts: 1,262

Re: Synthetic Biology

It is extremely likely that suitable microbes already exist on Earth. Perhaps making glycerine as anti freeze in polar areas, or oil droplets for buoyancy in the sea.

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