Epigenetic modulation of crop traits for space and terrestrial agriculture
Gastronaut's ORCA platform integrates advanced epigenetic editing tools to enhance crop traits for space and terrestrial controlled environment agriculture (CEA). The platform facilitates rapid proof-of-concept testing of Brassica microgreens, focusing on antioxidant, nutrient, and stress-tolerance traits.
Overview
Gastronaut presents an innovative solution for enhancing crop traits through the integration of sophisticated epigenetic editing tools into the ORCA platform. This automated centrifuge drum is designed for rapid testing of Brassica microgreens such as broccoli, radish, arugula, and mustard. By targeting specific antioxidant, nutrient, and stress-tolerance loci, this technology aims to enhance crop resilience and nutritional value without altering DNA sequences, making it suitable for both space and terrestrial controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Utilizes epigenetic editing tools including DNA methylation writers/erasers and dCas-based systems.
- Applies treatments via foliar spray or seed treatment to target loci such as antioxidants (SOD/CAT/GPX/Nrf2), nutrient transporters (Ca/Mg), and stress-related genes (DREB/ERF).
- Conducts rigorous molecular and phenotypic analysis using bisulfite sequencing, ChIP-qPCR, and RNA-seq to validate epigenetic changes.
- Compatible with ORCA's automated growth system, operating under 0.5g and clinostat modes to simulate space conditions.
Technology readiness level
This technology is currently at TRL 2, indicating that it is in the early stages of concept validation. Phase 1 focuses on transferring epigenetic tools and establishing proof-of-concept through molecular and phenotypic analysis. Future phases will refine application protocols and optimize the integration with the ORCA platform for broader implementation.
About Gastronaut
Gastronaut provides Nutrition-as-a-Service for deep space missions, developing flight-qualified technology designed to restore Earth-level nutrition in microgravity environments. The company focuses on ensuring peak crew performance for long-duration missions by offering a flight-proven, recurring, and data-rich space food service. Their systems are developed to address the significant challenges of human performance in space. Gastronaut maintains a focus on space food systems, emphasizing the integration of validated growth data and flight-qualified hardware to meet the complex nutritional requirements of space exploration. The company is actively engaged in discussions with space agencies like NASA regarding their specialized food technology solutions. By transforming space nutrition into a service model, Gastronaut aims to solve critical human performance obstacles encountered during deep-space travel.
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