High-Level Project Summary
A gene expression method to grow plants in the outer of this world, which method is called "TAGES- Transgenic Gene Expression System". In this method, we can grow the plants under micro gravity. We can change the genes for getting protein and other nutrients in the International Space Station. LED bulbs and infra red rays are allowed to photosynthesis the plant. It will be reduced the cost to send the foods from earth to ISS. Lead sheets are used to make a home like place as it protect human and plants from radiation. Halophiles bacteria's gene is used to transfer into the plant's root as to grow in the Martian soil. Chernobyl fungi's gene help to grow plants which against to radiation.
Link to Project "Demo"
Link to Final Project
Detailed Project Description
Plants grow under micro-gravity is a big challenge. There is no sand or water. the first step, when astronauts go to the space voyage, they have to grow the plants in the rocket. therefore, we suggest the TAGES- Transgenic Arabidopsis Gene Expression System. The gene was then introduced to Arabidopsis by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants were normal in terms of growth and maturity compared with wild-type plants. Transgenic plants also showed an enhanced resistance to salt and osmotic stress induced by NaCl and mannitol. Via this method, the plant's gene are transferred and they can grow well in the micro-gravity. The LED bulbs, infrared rays and UV rays are helped to do photosynthesis. Green reporter gene is added into the leaves as more chlorophyll. Therefore, the plants can photosynthesis well and the astronauts can get more yields from those plants. The nutrients are given from the hydroponics method.
For growing plants in Mars, first consider about Martian soil. The Martian soil is not like Earth soil. Martian soil is salty and drought. Therefore plants cannot survive in the Martian soil. If roots of the plants will introduce with Halophiles bacteria. Because halophiles can survive from the salty and drought area. This transgenic plants can survive in the Martian soil and no need to pour the lot of water like Earth. Therefore, we can save the water in Mars.
Next challenge is radiation. The radiation can insert into our body and break the DNA (Deoxy Ribo Nucleic Acid). From protect against the readiation, Chernobyl bacteria (Cryptococcus neoformans) will help. Scientists can make transgenic plants while using Chernobyl fungi's gene. These transgenic plants can absorb the radiation from Mars environment and protect the astronauts from the radiation. Therefore, these plants will change the radiations into the chemical energy and grow well without the water. These transgenic plants give breathable oxygen and protect us from dangerous radiation.
These transgenic plants give food, recycle the water and make a water cycle in the Mars or other terrestrial planet, they create a pleasant environment for living-beings and make natural circumstance for astronauts. Without green, we can live with happily. When we have stress, after we see the green plants, we can feel pleasant. When astronauts are going to the space voyage, there is no other human or family members or friends; it makes a stress full environment for astronauts. We cannot return to earth immediately. In these times, these transgenic plants change the circumstance for the astronauts and encourage them. these plants help to relief from stress.
Next big challenge is habitat. First we have to protect the plants from radiation. therefore we can make a place while using lead sheet. Because lead is a best choice to fight against the radiation. a small house has to make in lead sheet and we can allow plants in there.
This chamber will be made with lead sheet. This chamber has Structural Mounting Assembly, air filtration assembly which provides filtered air to the system, plant habitat facility kits which includes hoses, water bags, syringes, science carrier which is the tray the plants will grow in, growth chamber which enclosed volume that the plants will grow in, environmental control system which has growth chamber temperature, humidity and air flow control, fluid international sub rack interface standard drawer which contains the carbon dioxide bottles, water reservoirs and gaseous nitrogen regulation, orbital replacement unit component drawer which has water distribution system, power system and main computer or PHARMER, oxygen sensor controller, cameras, infrared temperature sensor, light sensors, rulers and camera calibrations, science carrier micro-controller and growth light assembly which has lighting system.
Space Agency Data
We used all of the space agency data which provides in the resources page and more we used few NASA YouTube video.
From this data, we got basic knowledge about the plants and methods which are using in International Space Station(ISS).
From this data, we got so much knowledge about how to grow a plant in low cost and get high and fresh yields in space.
From this data, we understood about that how to make a chamber to grow plants in space with safe.
From this data, we understood about other challenges while growing the plants and how to save the foods in Earth and
space.
These videos gave a best sample and clear method to us.
Hackathon Journey
This Space Apps Journey gave us a lot of sweet memories and knowledge. Before this experience, We did not know how to write a report to our project and where will we show our talents. Now we tell that The Space Apps Challenge is a best place to every young coders, scientists, story-tellers and etc. Other places are only recommended a few talents. But our space apps challenge only ask all of the talents. No rules to share our talents with them.
The population is nearly 7.8 billion. After few years, the population will be doubled. Food, water and even place is also no enough. Therefore, we, scientists have to find another way. This way is "Give a giant leap in Mars". But what can we do after reach there? what will we eat in the long voyage? How much days we can use the breathable oxygen gas which we bring from Earth? How to get water? These fundamentals questions were begun from us. thus, we selected "Have seeds will Travel!" topic for our project.
After started to do this project, we could well-know each others and grow up our hidden talents. We could know lot of new knowledge than before. We learnt about the power of the group work, public speaking and research. We all cooperated well and did what we do. Then we could understand the "Power of Ten".
We divided every part among us to research more. Then we worked whole day and collected too much many things. When we did it, we had to meet some challenges. Such as, we did not know how to create a 3D architecture for the plant growing area. Therefore we did in our own and draw a small model.
We warmly say thank you for our family, because of their support and NASA and power of Ten to give a good opportunity to us-Young Scientists!
References
- https://www.nasa.gov/content/growing-plants-in-space
- https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/veggie_fact_sheet_508.pdf
- https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/advanced-plant-habitat.pdf
- https://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/sciences/food-production/default.asp
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLYeZKDv0Ig&list=LL&index=38
- https://youtu.be/9JDAZBoLJUc?list=LL
Tags
# spacetechnology #spacebiotechnology #seeds #fly #nasa #esa #csa #jaxa #scientist #astronauts #have #lifebeyondtheearth #beyond #life #earth #biotechnology #space #spaceagriculturebiotechnology
Global Judging
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