PRoSPER

Currently, one of the largest barriers to Mars exploration is sustainability. Martian regolith (the equivalent of soil) is very difficult to grow crops on due to its chemical composition. Perchlorate accounts for 0.4% to 0.6% of the regolith and serves as a key barrier to plant growth. In addition, perchlorates at such concentrations are harmful to human health, impacting thyroid function as seen in regions of Chile where perchlorate is abundant. This year's project focuses on developing a microbial co-culture system for Martian regolith remediation, targeting the high perchlorate toxicity and salt concentration.

The Project

(1) Engineering and characterization of E. Coli to express key perchlorate reduction proteins in perchlorate reductase [pcr]. The PCR complex consists of four separate subunits: pcrA, pcrB, pcrC, and pcrD. With pcrA being the largest subunit and primary site where perchlorate is reduced to chlorite in the first step in the bacterial perchlorate reduction process.

(2) Cultivation of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, which naturally uptakes chloride byproducts from the perchlorate reduction process and recycles organic carbon through sucrose secretions

(3) Development of an Adaptive Reaction Chamber family, incorporating ARC-B biofilm bioreactor version to support the growth of both microorganisms, and conduct perchlorate treatment and desalination under controlled conditions in the ARC-T treatment chamber. The Wiki subteam will collaborate with the PD subteam to develop a BLE-based mobile software for the control and monitoring of the ARC Bioreactor family.

On the social awareness side, the Policy and Practices subteam has been focusing on interviews with not only researchers but also experts in space policy and ethics. The subteam has been focused on sharing the information learned from these interviews with the community through various educational opportunities. In conjunction, the Business subteam has been focusing on developing a business plan to commercialize and scale up the project after the competition. The subteam has also been working on finding partners and sponsors for our project.