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Synthetic biological circuit tested in spaceflight
Rebekah Z Kitto1, Yadvender Dhillon2, James Bevington3
1Department of Chemistry, and Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
Life Sciences in Space Research
|February 22, 2021
Summary
Synthetic biology tools were tested on the International Space Station (ISS). A biological circuit successfully produced proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana plants during spaceflight, demonstrating its functionality.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic biology applications in spaceflight.
- Plant biology research in microgravity environments.
Background:
- Synthetic biology offers potential for space exploration but has seen limited translation to spaceflight.
- Previous research established an inducible biological circuit (pX7-AtPDSi) for protein production in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functionality of an exogenously inducible synthetic biology circuit in spaceflight.
- To assess protein production and genetic system integrity of the circuit aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Main Methods:
- A pX7-AtPDSi biological circuit was introduced into Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings.
- Seedlings were grown in a custom plant greenhouse on the ISS.
- Visual observation of photobleaching and post-flight Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis were performed.
Main Results:
- The synthetic circuit in pX7-AtPDSi seedlings induced photobleaching, indicating successful protein production in spaceflight.
- Wild type Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) did not exhibit photobleaching.
- PCR analysis confirmed the functionality of the Cre/LoxP recombination system in spaceflight.
Conclusions:
- The synthetic circuit demonstrated successful protein production and genetic system function during spaceflight.
- Key components like the XVE transcription factor, Cre/LoxP system, and RNAi system now have spaceflight heritage.
- The study provides a foundation and accessible design files for future plant-based synthetic biology research in space.
