An End-To-End Microfluidic Platform for Engineering Life Supporting Microbes in Space Exploration Missions

HJ Science & Technology (HJS&T) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) propose a highly integrated, programmable, and miniaturized microfluidic automation platform capable of running rapid and complex synthetic biology and bioengineering processes for engineering life supporting microbes in space exploration missions. Our approach combines the microfluidic automation technology of HJS&T with the novel synthetic biology technologies of 1) combinatorial gene library generation, 2) host transformation, and 3) gene product screening at LBNL and the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI). In Phase I, we have established the feasibility of the proposed microfluidic automation technology by engineering and screening cyanobacterial cells for enhanced production of free fatty acids. In Phase II, we will expand the Phase I microfluidic automation capability to enable automated, metabolic engineering and screening of microbes for enhanced production of other classes of important compounds for in situ resource utilization in NASA space exploration missions: propellant fuels, biopolymers, and pharmaceuticals. We will also build and deliver a Phase II prototype. The successful development of the microfluidic automation technology with its automated and miniaturized platform will lay the groundwork for life supporting waste management and in situ resource utilization capabilities in future NASA manned space exploration missions.

Microfluidic automation technology for synthetic biology offers significant opportunities for the development of life sustaining biological systems for long term space exploration missions. Among the potential applications are enhanced production of food and fuels from photosynthetic organisms, processing of waste products such as CO2 or urea, atmosphere regeneration, and water re-utilization as a part of environmental control and life support on the International Space Station.

Commercial applications include biofuel production, drug development, and agricultural development. The proposed technology could be used in engineering biological processes such as mass producing effective medications, manufacturing specialty chemicals, engineering organisms and enzymes for better biofuel production, or developing crops that are more resistant to pathogens or drought.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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