Towards sustainable freshwater systems through plant synthetic biology engineering plants for sustainability

Approaches are needed to reduce the impact of climate change and provide freshwater. Synthetic biology, and plant synthetic biology specifically, is in an exceptional position to address these needs. Plants are powerful synthetic biology platforms as they derive their energy from the sun (photosynthesis) while capturing the potent greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. Historically, plants were used in specialized circumstances to provide and store freshwater. Even today many mangrove species can filter seawater while some plants can store massive amounts of water. I propose that starting from nature's own design principles we could engineer plants to filter seawater and/or store freshwater. Moreover, synthetic biologists could derive components found in diverse life forms, modified by water's evolutionarily adaptive properties, to provide source material for engineering plants to filter and transport water. By combining components and inspiration from nature, with advanced synthetic biology tools such as computational protein design and directed evolution, we have the knowledge and technology to make an impact on climate change. Synthetic biologists could engineer plant platforms with the ability to filter saltwater while producing freshwater thus providing a powerful and sustainable means to address freshwater needs while reducing the impact of climate change. With creativity and time, plant synthetic biology could thus help provide sustainable solutions.