Difference between revisions of "Team:UNIK Copenhagen/Description"

Line 3: Line 3:
  
 
<h2>Moss… In space! </h2>
 
<h2>Moss… In space! </h2>
−
 
+
<p>Space Moss is an interdisciplinary project that combines two fields that are leading the way into the future: Astrophysics and Synthetic Biology. Astrophysics and human curiosity are propelling martian colonisation, however creating a sustainable environment on Mars where humans could survive is as an unsolved problem. This is where synthetic biology could provide the solution by creating  genetically modified organisms that can produce all the needed components for astronaut survival. Our project proposes to genetically modify Moss to produce components that could sustain an environment fit for colonisation of Mars in 2025.
−
<p>Exploring beyond Earth requires technological innovations, both industrial and for sustaining life in a hostile environment. Mars is an extremely hostile environment for any organism to survive. There is very little oxygen, high levels of radiation, and dangerous substances in the soil. Astronauts could live out their lives never touching martian soil, but our ambition is much more than astronauts living in metal boxes. </p>
+
</p>
−
 
+
−
<p>Our motivation for exploring space is quite simple. It's completely new! There is literally a lot of space! Our planetary system has a tremendous amount of physical resources. But it's more than that.</p>
+
  
 
<p>
 
<p>
−
Can we inspire a generation of people, inundated by every good idea ever thought, that there actually are entire worlds which are unexplored? The necessary means of connecting with these worlds has not been created, the tools and machines to explore, exploit, and create as well, so let's get on with it.
+
Our project has three main focus areas: Testing Moss’s ability to survive on Mars,genetically modifying moss to produce materials useful to both its and astronauts’ survival on Mars, and educating and inspiring the general public about synthetic biology and space exploration. We will test Moss’s ability to survive on Mars by using the Mars Environmental Chamber at the Niels Bohr Institute. By simulating martian living conditions, such as varying temperature, low pressure and high carbon dioxide atmosphere we will quantify moss’s ability to survive on Mars. A long side this testing we plan on introducing genes into the moss at the Center for Synthetic Biology that will allow the moss to express components key for creating a sustainable environment on Mars. These components will include an antifreeze protein and resveratrol.  Resveratrol is an antioxidant that would be useful as a medical supplement to astronauts, while the antifreeze protein would help the moss survive low temperatures on Mars.  
 
</p>
 
</p>
  
−
<p>We plan to use moss to transform the surface of mars to a habitable environment. Moss is the Chuck Norris of the plant kingdom. Capable of surviving extreme conditions and living off of very few nutrients, moss can even grow on the bare rock. </p>
+
<p>
 +
The project is also keenly focused on raising awareness about the following issues: Ethics regarding the colonization of Mars and genetics, the benefits of interdisciplinary research and international collaboration and inspiring young people to participate in scientific research. This will be done through ethic workshops, high school lectures, comic strips and short films.
 +
</p>
  
 
<br>
 
<br>

Revision as of 16:59, 22 July 2015


Moss… In space!

Space Moss is an interdisciplinary project that combines two fields that are leading the way into the future: Astrophysics and Synthetic Biology. Astrophysics and human curiosity are propelling martian colonisation, however creating a sustainable environment on Mars where humans could survive is as an unsolved problem. This is where synthetic biology could provide the solution by creating genetically modified organisms that can produce all the needed components for astronaut survival. Our project proposes to genetically modify Moss to produce components that could sustain an environment fit for colonisation of Mars in 2025.

Our project has three main focus areas: Testing Moss’s ability to survive on Mars,genetically modifying moss to produce materials useful to both its and astronauts’ survival on Mars, and educating and inspiring the general public about synthetic biology and space exploration. We will test Moss’s ability to survive on Mars by using the Mars Environmental Chamber at the Niels Bohr Institute. By simulating martian living conditions, such as varying temperature, low pressure and high carbon dioxide atmosphere we will quantify moss’s ability to survive on Mars. A long side this testing we plan on introducing genes into the moss at the Center for Synthetic Biology that will allow the moss to express components key for creating a sustainable environment on Mars. These components will include an antifreeze protein and resveratrol. Resveratrol is an antioxidant that would be useful as a medical supplement to astronauts, while the antifreeze protein would help the moss survive low temperatures on Mars.

The project is also keenly focused on raising awareness about the following issues: Ethics regarding the colonization of Mars and genetics, the benefits of interdisciplinary research and international collaboration and inspiring young people to participate in scientific research. This will be done through ethic workshops, high school lectures, comic strips and short films.


Red Lab and Green Lab

Red Lab
In the 'Red Lab', the team will expose the moss to harsh martian conditions, including extreme temperature differences, fake martian soil, radiation exposure, pressure and CO2 concentrations. More about Red Lab

Green Lab
In the 'Green Lab', the team will attempt to make the moss more hardy by modifying it with an 'anti-freeze' gene from a ringworm. This amazing feature works by attaching onto the ends of the ice crystals forming in the cell, slowing down the growth of the crystals. More about Green Lab

Ethical Implications

Currently, there is a political treaty called the Outer Space Treatywhich deals with scientific experiments on foreign bodies. What kind of dialogue is needed for what we can do, and what we should do, utilizing synthetic biology to potentially make Mars habitable? How can we keep in consideration all viewpoints to make our continued journey a most successful one? We invite you to join the conversation.