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PROGRAMMABLE PLANTS: DEVELOPMENT OF AN IN PLANTA SYSTEM FOR THE REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF PLANTS FOR LONG TERM LIFE SUPPORT.  C.S. Brown.  Dynamac Corporation and NSCORT in Gravitational Biology, NC State University. 

      In order to align NASA’s goal of solar system exploration with the emerging fields of genomics and nanoscience, we performed a feasibility study to define and prioritize the major issues associated with the generation and use of programmable plants.  We explored the concept of bringing these two disciplines together for the development of plants with remote monitoring and control devices in planta.  We developed an architecture for the design and use of robotic plants that could be programmed to express or repress inducible genes or modules of genes from remote signals.  The plants, designed with receptors/receivers that would be activated by remotely generated signals, would thus be programmed from earth or from a satellite to initiate a bioregenerative life support system for an incoming or resident crew, to initiate production of pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals, to generate biomass, or to produce fiber or plastics for construction.  Development and integration of a fully biologically based life support system that is genetically engineered and remotely controlled to act in response to the changing needs of the crew/team would be of enormous significance in the quest to establish a human presence beyond Earth.  The means to bring this about will include the application of functional genomics and nanotechnology. 

(Supported by the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts and the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science.)