Space biotechnology is an emerging field focused on exploring how biological processes operate in space and utilizing this knowledge for scientific and practical applications. It combines life sciences, genetics, microbiology, and biomedicine with space research to develop new technologies and enhance human exploration of space. Read here to learn more.
Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Department of Space (DoS) signed Framework Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Space Biotechnology.
The Union Cabinet has recently approved path-breaking initiatives in the field of human space programme and biotechnology with the announcement of the establishment of a Bharatiya Antariksh Station and the unveiling of the ‘BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for fostering high-performance Biomanufacturing’ in the country.
Space Biotechnology
Space biotechnology deals with how living organisms adapt, function and evolve in microgravity conditions to advance space exploration and human survival.
It aims to address the key challenges in space missions such as lack of continuous availability of nutrients, waste management, preservation of food, microgravity, radiation, and health hazards like bone muscle loss.
Effects of Microgravity on Biology
- Human Health and Physiology: Studying the effects of microgravity on the human body helps scientists understand muscle atrophy, bone density loss, immune system changes, and cellular behaviour in space. Insights from these studies support the development of countermeasures, like pharmaceuticals and exercise protocols, to protect astronaut health during long missions.
- Microbiome Research: In microgravity, microbial growth rates, resistance to antibiotics, and gene expression can differ significantly. NASA and other space agencies conduct microbiome studies on the International Space Station (ISS) to understand how microbial behaviour changes in space, which can help improve health protocols and reduce infection risks on long-duration missions.
Space-Driven Drug Development
- Crystallization of Proteins and Drugs: The microgravity environment in space allows for the formation of larger, purer protein crystals than those grown on Earth. Studying these structures enables researchers to better understand diseases and develop targeted drugs. For example, Merck Research Laboratories has used the ISS for microgravity experiments aimed at improving cancer and immunological treatments.
- Gene Therapy Research: Space biotechnology also contributes to gene therapy by providing a unique environment to study gene expression and the role of genes in ageing and disease. For example, CRISPR-Cas9 and other gene-editing tools are used on the ISS to examine how gene expression changes in space might inform disease treatment and genetic engineering efforts.
Space Agriculture and Synthetic Biology
- Bioregenerative Life Support: To sustain long-term space missions, space biotechnology focuses on closed-loop life support systems that recycle waste, produce oxygen, and grow food. Synthetic biology is used to design plants and microbes that can survive extreme space conditions, while experiments on plant growth and photosynthesis in microgravity are critical for developing sustainable food systems.
- Genetically Engineered Crops: Research into genetically engineered crops that can withstand radiation and low-gravity conditions helps to develop viable food sources for astronauts on Mars or the Moon. By understanding plant biology in space, scientists can also improve crop resilience for extreme environments on Earth.
Tissue Engineering and Organ Preservation
- 3D Bioprinting: Using 3D bioprinters on the ISS, scientists are exploring how to print tissues and even organs. The lack of gravity enables better layer formation, potentially allowing for more complex and functional tissues. This technology could pave the way for organ repair, replacement, and wound healing solutions during long-term space exploration.
- Cryopreservation: Space biotechnology also addresses organ preservation for transplants. Research on the ISS explores how organs and tissues can be preserved longer without damage, which could improve transplant success rates both on Earth and during space missions.
Space-Based Biomining
- Mining Using Microbes: Microbes can be used to extract valuable metals from rocks and soil in space, a process called biomining. Space biotechnology experiments have tested microbial metal extraction on the ISS to determine if it could be viable for harvesting resources on other celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars, which would reduce the need for Earth-supplied resources.
Research Initiatives by Space Organizations
- NASA: NASA’s GeneLab platform provides data from space biology experiments to understand how microgravity and space radiation affect biological systems. NASA also collaborates with pharmaceutical companies to explore protein crystallization and gene expression in space.
- European Space Agency (ESA): ESA conducts research on plant growth, gene expression, and bioprinting to support long-duration missions. Its MELiSSA (Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative) project focuses on developing closed-loop life support systems for future human missions to Mars.
Significance of space biotechnology research for India
The Indian Human Space program, Gaganyaan is a national endeavour of ISRO offering a unique opportunity to various national agencies, academia and industry in the fields of microgravity research, space biotechnology, space biomanufacturing, bioastronautics and space biology.
- This framework MoU between ISRO and DBT will lead to cooperation in the niche field of Space Biotechnology.
- It will benefit the national human space programme as well as spur innovations and developments in the fields of human health research, novel pharmaceuticals, biotherapeutics, regenerative medicine, and bio-based technologies for efficient waste management & recycling leading to a large number of societal applications.
- The collaboration will also open up opportunities for startups in the space and biotechnology sectors to innovate and develop commercially attractive technological solutions in the area of space biotechnology.
- Through this collaboration, a dedicated Biotechnology Experiment and Technology Demonstration Rack will be operationalised in the upcoming Bhartiya Antariksh Station in future.
- iBRIC-inStem, Bangalore and ICGEB New Delhi contributed with their research experiments as part of the joint ISRO-NASA mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
NASA’s Space Biology Program
The program’s core objectives include:
- Discovering how biological systems respond, acclimate and adapt to the space environment
- Developing integrated physiological models for biology in space
- Identifying the underlying mechanisms and networks that govern biological processes in the space environment
- Promoting open science through the GeneLab Data System and Life Sciences Data Archive
- Developing cutting-edge biological technologies to facilitate spaceflight research
- Developing mechanistic understanding to support human health in space
- Enabling the transfer of knowledge and technology to the understanding of life on Earth
Conclusion
India now stands at the threshold of the ‘Second Space Age’ where the convergence of biotechnology and space exploration is driving new possibilities of sustaining living in extreme environments such as outer space.
India is taking new strides in space with the Gaganyaan programme and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. The BioE3 is a game changer in the field of Biotechnology and would lead the national Bioeconomy towards 300 billion USD by 2030. Under this initiative on fostering high-performance biomanufacturing, space biomanufacturing is one of the focus areas.
The advancements related to space biotechnology have far-reaching implications, not only for human space exploration but also for developing new biomedical technologies, sustainable agriculture practices, and resource management strategies on Earth.
As the field evolves, space biotechnology holds great promise for addressing both terrestrial and extraterrestrial challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is DBT?
Ans: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, boosts and augments the development of the biotechnology ecosystem in India, through its expansion and application in agriculture, healthcare, animal sciences, environment, and industry.
Q. What is space biology?
Ans: The main objective of Space Biology research is to build a better understanding of how spaceflight affects living systems in spacecraft such as the International Space Station (ISS), or in ground-based experiments that mimic aspects of spaceflight, and to prepare for future human exploration missions far from Earth.
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-Article by Swathi Satish
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