AbSciCon2026-Missions to Mars: Life detection and habitability

Advancements in synthetic biology help to answer some of the biggest scientific questions on Earth, and in doing so, establish a fundamental molecular toolkit for use in life detection and human missions to Mars. Synthetic techniques have been applied to fundamental studies of organismal function under Mars-relevant conditions, in addition to their use in new technologies development for human support in upcoming Mars missions. This session will investigate the duality of synthetic biology in its benefits to Mars research. Abstracts will be invited that use synthetic approaches to answer questions of microbial behavior/habitability within and across Martian landscapes, alongside advancements in materials and resource development for human-beneficial technologies en-route to, and for future inhabitation of, the red planet. To strengthen collaboration across research sectors in preparing for Mars missions, this session will particularly encourage abstracts that tackle both subdisciplines, and/or the use of synthetic biology in considerations of planetary protection.

Come see talks addressing these issues and more at AbSciCon2026 in Madison Wisconsin, May 17-22. See here for more information or contact me to submit a late abstract.