Bioengineering for Space

Biosynthesis of amino acids account for up to 20% of all energy spent to maintain cellular function. However, the ability to produce all 20 amino acids (AA) has not been conserved during evolution as many higher eukaryotes such as humans have lost the genes/pathways needed to produce up to 9 amino acids. Instead for higher eukaryotes, these essential amino acids (EAA) must be consumed through their diet, which is ultimately derived through the food web from other bacteria, fungi and plants that can synthesize these EAAs. Beyond amino acids, a variety of other essential metabolites (i.e. vitamins, fatty acids) also need to be supplemented through diet due to missing biosynthetic functions. As such auxotrophic eukaryotes such as humans require a balanced and healthy diet. Here, I discuss our synthetic biology efforts to re-introduce missing essential biosynthetic pathways into a mammalian genome to rescue these metabolic auxotrophies. This work may have long-term food security implications in the context of climate change, and important self-sufficiency considerations for interplanetary space voyages.

Pioneering work in organ manufacturing and engineering relies upon genetic engineering to produce thoracic and abdominal organs that have potential medical applications for long-duration human settlements off of the earth. These organs are manufactured in the sense that they are produced through technological means. A key technology for organ manufacturing is the bioreactor, which is also the mainstay technology for producing biological medicines such as monoclonal antibodies. Bioreactors for organ manufacturing may be in vivo, with the organs growing inside a pig, or may be ex vivo, with the organs being nurtured or printed within devices. For all types of manufactured organs there is an opportunity to modify the genes of all of its cells in order to provide the organ with novel functionality within a transplant recipient. It is unknown for how long these modified cells would remain predominant once natural, systemic, cellular regeneration processes engage post-transplant. However, at least in the case of some immunological modifications resulting from allotransplantation, there is evidence of life-long tolerogenic utility.

The microbiology, including bacteria and fungi, of our built environment can have significant influences on our health in myriad ways, from disease burden to health promotion. However, we are only just starting to characterize many of these mechanisms. Through detailed investigation of the bacteria and fungi that inhabit our homes, hospitals, offices and the environment around us, we have built up a global map that can be used to discover novel ways of manipulating these microbial communities to promote human health and reduce disease. We have quantified the degree of impact and speed of contamination of the human microbiome in our indoor environments, the influence of pet microbes on our homes and health, and the point sources of the microbiota found in our air and water that can exacerbate diseases such as asthma and cancer. These analyses are manifold, and comprehensively integrated with building and urban science to appropriately capture the physical, chemical and biological variables that influence the colonization, succession and function of the urban microbiome. We are also exploring the forensic potential of these data, which are suggestive of unique signatures from individuals and specific environmental, animal, industrial, and commercial point sources. It is possible that these forensic signatures can be used to track microbial contamination in urban environments, or even as trace evidence for criminal activity. Through new sensors and sophisticated molecular detection tools we have designed novel interventions to reduce antibiotic resistance and virulence of bacteria that survive in our buildings. These interventions could revolutionize how buildings are designed, built and maintained.

As astronauts venture farther from Earth, and for longer periods, food will become increasingly critical. Crop production can supplement a packaged diet to provide additional nutrients and variety for astronauts. Testing with the Veggie chamber on the International Space Station is allowing us to understand the impacts of gravity and spaceflight on crop growth and nutritional content, and the importance of plants to astronauts living and working away from our blue home planet.