NASA Considers Role of Synthetic Biology in Space

Ruth Dasso Marlaire

Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- News media are invited to attend a discussion lead by world famous biologist J. Craig Venter, best known for his role in sequencing the human genome and creating the first cell “booted up” from a synthetic genome.

Biology on Earth readily demonstrates that life is an efficient user of resources surrounding it, turning those resources into habitats, materials and forms that perform various functions. If the promise of engineering biology on Earth is within reach, then it is time to ask scientists and engineers about possible applications of synthetic biology in space.

Venter’s presentation will be part of NASA’s “Synthetic Biology” weekend workshop, which has a goal to understand if synthetic biology can provide a more efficient, lower cost, practical approach to specific challenges in space. NASA experts, experienced in the science and engineering of space missions, and experts from outside of NASA involved in basic and applied synthetic biology, will be present to discuss the role of synthetic biology in space.

WHO: J. Craig Venter, an American scientist and entrepreneur in synthetic biology

WHAT: Synthetic biology workshop features guest sspeaker J. Craig Venter, an expert in the field of synthetic biology.

WHEN: 5 to 6:30 p.m. PDT Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.

WHERE: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., in the Ballroom of Building 3.

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