Proteins are life’s molecular workhorses, doing everything from turning sunlight into food to fighting viruses. They are built from 20 different types of amino acid molecules, so even a small […]
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Posted inCommercial & Private Sector, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Status Report
Synthetic Biology For Space Exploration
Human space exploration faces different challenges. Topics like Bioregenerative Life Support Systems, In Situ Resource Utilization, and radiation protection, still require for more suitable solutions to be applied in long-term […]
Posted inAstropharmacy / Biotechnology, Commercial & Private Sector, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release
Offworld Biotechnology: Using Bioplastics For Extraterrestrial Habitats
If humans are ever going to live beyond Earth, they’ll need to construct habitats. But transporting enough industrial material to create livable spaces would be incredibly challenging and expensive. Researchers […]
Posted inAstronauts and Explorers, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release
Growing Homes On Mars: Autonomous Construction Using Synthetic Lichens
Inhabiting Mars has long been a futuristic fantasy fueled by science fiction. However, successful landings on our neighboring planet over the past half-century have made this seemingly far-fetched idea increasingly […]
![Genetic engineering of protein to incorporate dual uranyl-binding sites for enhanced uranium extraction from seawater. [Science China Press]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SynBio-Enhanced-Uranium.png?resize=1200%2C716&ssl=1)
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Commercial & Private Sector, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release
SynBio: Enhanced Biological Uranium Extraction From Seawater
Researchers at Hainan University have developed a novel protein named LSUBP, specifically designed with twin uranyl-binding sites to significantly enhance uranium extraction from seawater. Compared to previously developed adsorption-based materials, […]
Posted inBiophysics, Commercial & Private Sector, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Status Report
Patterning On Living Tardigrades
Micro/nanofabrication techniques have revolutionized modern photonics and electronics. However, conventional methods remain incompatible with living organisms due to inherent constraints including nonconformal coating, radiation damage, and toxic solvent requirements.
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Commercial & Private Sector, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Plant Biology, Status Report
Silicon Is The Next Frontier In Plant Synthetic Biology
Silicon has striking similarity with carbon and is found in plant cells. However, there is no specific role that has been assigned to silicon in the life cycle of plants.
Posted inBiophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Status Report
Amazing Structural Diversity Of Giant Virus-like Particles In Forest Soil
Large DNA viruses of the phylum Nucleocytoviricota infect diverse eukaryotic hosts from protists to humans, with profound consequences for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. While nucleocytoviruses are known to be highly […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Origin & Evolution of Life, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report
Microbes in Extreme Environments: Life at the Limits and Its Biotechnological Applications
Microorganisms are found in nearly every environment on Earth, including some of the most extreme habitats where life was once thought to be impossible. These “extremophiles” thrive in conditions of […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Commercial & Private Sector, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Life Support Systems, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs
DARPA: Building Space Elevators, Space Nets, and other Large Bio-Mechanical Space Structures
Given recent advances in metabolic engineering for rapid growth, extremophiles with novel properties, biological self-assembly properties of tunable materials, and emergent mechanical design principles of biological systems, DARPA is interested […]