Microalgal bioengineering for futuristic applications in synthetic and space biology

Abstract

Extreme environmental conditions on Earth and in space pose significant challenges to sustaining life. As global population growth exacerbates issues such as climate change, food security, and resource depletion, innovative solutions are needed. Similarly, confined and isolated environments on Earth and in space lack essential life-supporting resources such as oxygen, water, and food. Combined with the challenges of microgravity and radiation exposure, these factors present substantial obstacles to advancing human space exploration. Biotechnological innovations are essential to enable long-term habitation in extraterrestrial environments. Microalgae, with their high photosynthetic efficiency, diverse metabolic capabilities, omnipresence in the natural world, and adaptability to extreme conditions, have emerged as promising candidates for synthetic biology (SynBio) applications. Recent advancements in genetic engineering, particularly CRISPR-based genome editing (GE), provide unprecedented opportunities to enhance microalgal traits for the sustainable bioproduction of oxygen, water, and nutrition in space missions. Engineered microalgae hold immense potential for bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS), supplying essential resources while reducing logistical constraints. This review examines the integration of SynBio and GE in microalgae, highlighting their role in space research and environmental sustainability. We discuss key advancements in CRISPR and innovative (omics, synthetic gene circuits, artificial cells, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence) technologies relevant to metabolic pathway engineering and space-adapted microalgal systems, underscoring their transformative potential in addressing both terrestrial and extraterrestrial challenges.