In-space Biomanufacturing Using CO2 with Methylobacterium Extorquens
Long duration missions to deep space will require new approaches for supplying astronauts. In-space microbial manufacturing could generate many important compounds (such as nutrients, pharmaceuticals and fuels) but there are significant barriers to deploying reliable bioproduction platforms to space. These include ensuring adequate production and proper purification of the desired product, especially in the unique radiation and microgravity environment. Here we are focused on developing methods and technologies to feed microbial factories using the resources available in space. CO2, found in abundance in spacecraft cabins and the Mars atmosphere, can be sequestered and converted into bioproducts. While autotrophic organisms can use CO2 directly, they are generally slow growing and have less-developed biotechnology toolkits. Therefore we are developing an alternative paradigm in which CO2 is first reduced to more energetic carbon compounds that can support more rapid growth of workhorse biotechnology platforms (E. coli, S. cerevisiae, P. pastoris).Various technologies exist or are being developed to convert CO2. For example, the Sabatier system currently installed on the ISS, reacts CO2 and H2 to generate CH4 and H2O. This methane could be consumed by engineered methanotrophic bacteria. Alternatively, electrochemical systems can convert CO2 into formate (CHO2) which could be consumed by formatotrophic bacteria. In either case, synthetic biology techniques allow these microbes to serve as reprogrammable biofactories capable of producing a vast number or products.