Our project tackles the fundamental challenge of ensuring food security in the most extreme environments. By creating a biological system that produces high-quality, bioavailable protein from recycled inputs, we pioneer a novel approach to nutrient synthesis.

This technology demonstrates a pathway to overcome the limitations of traditional agriculture and supply chains, offering a potential solution to provide sustainable and reliable nutrition for long-duration missions and, ultimately, for vulnerable communities on Earth.

Our system is a paradigm of a circular economy. We transform astronaut waste products—carbon dioxide from respiration and nitrogen from urea—into valuable nutrients. This closed-loop approach minimizes waste generation and maximizes resource efficiency, adhering to the principle of "reduce, reuse, recycle."

Our bioreactor serves as a model for sustainable production processes that can be applied to reduce the environmental footprint of various industries.

We leverage cutting-edge synthetic biology to build a biological "factory," pushing the boundaries of industrial innovation. By developing a novel biomanufacturing platform that operates on gaseous feedstocks, we contribute to the foundation of a new, sustainable industry for space and beyond.

Our work in genetic circuit design, metabolic modeling, and bioreactor engineering supports the development of resilient infrastructure and promotes inclusive and sustainable industrialization.

Our engineered bacteria convert CO₂ into a valuable product, and is conducive to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Although our immediate application is space-based, our technology provides a new path for Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) strategies on Earth.

It offers a visionary blueprint for turning a global challenge into sustainable food production, thereby contributing to the global fight against climate change.

We are not just producing protein; we are producing health. The choice of human alpha-lactalbumin is intentional, as it is a functional nutrient proven to combat muscle and bone loss and support mental well-being.

By ensuring the health and wellness of astronauts in the high-stress environment, our project underscores the critical link between nutrition, physical health, and mental resilience, which is a cornerstone of ensuring healthy lives for all.