Team:UNIK Copenhagen/Description

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Moss… in space!

Space Moss is an interdisciplinary project that combines two fields leading the way into the future: Space Physics and Synthetic Biology. Space Physics and human curiosity are propelling martian colonisation. However, creating a sustainable environment on Mars where humans could survive for a long time is still an unsolved problem. This is where Synthetic Biology could provide a solution by creating genetically modified organisms that can produce 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.

The focus areas of our project are displayed in our Vision chart below. Click on one of our visions to read more about it.

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Proof of Concept: Moss can be Designed for Space Exploration

The idea is to introduce genes into the moss that will allow the moss to express key components for long duration missions to Mars. We have chosen - as a proof of concept - to focus on 1) expression of an antifreeze protein and 2) the biosynthesis of Resveratrol. We will insert an 'anti-freeze' gene from a spruce budworm into moss cells which will hopefully help moss to survive the low temperatures found on Mars. Resveratrol is an antioxidant that would be useful as a medical supplement to astronauts demonstrating the potential of using Synthetic Biology to produce compounds, which are useful to astronauts. This lab work is called Green Lab. Click here to read more about Green Lab.

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Research on Moss in Mars Conditions

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. We call the lab work conducted here for Red Lab. Click here to read more about Red Lab.

The Mars Environmental Chamber at the Niels Bohr Institute

Looking into the Mars Chamber

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Promoting Interdisciplinary Research and Cooperation

Traditionally, many iGEM teams have been composed of a large majority of people with a biological background. However, SpaceMoss is an interdisciplinary team, with members from a wide range of different academic disciplines like Astrophysics, mMlecular Biology, Social Sciences and Business. We want to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, as it can open up to cool projects that might not otherwise be feasible. In our project, Biology and Astrophysics are closely intertwined, and as such both disciplines are needed to successfully apply Synthetic Biology to a Mars expedition. We feel that different backgrounds all bring something of value to the table, which is greater than the sum of its parts. Collaboration with other iGEM teams, universities and media has also been one of our focus points. Collaboration with other iGEM helps us make team SpaceMoss better, due to feedback, workshops and interesting discussions, and for that we want to thank all our collaborators. We have actively been in touch with media, in order to spread the idea of Synthetic Biology to the general public, which is a large part of what makes this competition important. Lastly, we also do collaborations because it is fun! The days of lonely scientists tinkering away in the lab during the wee hours of night are long gone. Collaborations is not only necessary to produce a sound and interesting project, but it is also an essential way to tie all our visions together through outreach and lab work. Without collaborations, there simply would be no iGEM or SpaceMoss!

Team members Victoria and Jonathan in the lab

Group photo from DTU Biobrick Workshop

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Inspiring the Public

The project is 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.

Team presenting at the Nordic iGEM meet-up in Uppsala