Stability and axenicity in the MELiSSA loop

Larissa Hendrickx, Paul Janssen, Sarah Baatout, Florence Marty, Max Mergeay, Ruddy Wattiez, Annick Wilmotte, Christel Paillé

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    MELiSSA (Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative) consists of a loop of interconnected bioreactors enabling the recycling of gas, liquid and solid wastes generated in a close environment using light as a source of energy. In terms of efficiency and safety, the risks undergone in case of a genetic evolution in the compartments are critical for the long term operation of this human-life-sustaining system. Next to natural evolution during years of continuous culturing, one must also take into account evolutionary changes owing to hostile environmental conditions that are experienced in deep space, i.e. outside the Earth's atmosphere. Therefore it will be necessary to monitor microbial robustness, horizontal gene transfer, genetic stability, and maintenance of the axenic conditions in the MELiSSA loop.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationSAE Technical Papers
    PublisherSAE International
    Number of pages11
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jul 2003
    Event2003 - ICES: 33rd International Conference on Environmental Systems - Vancouver
    Duration: 7 Jul 200310 Jul 2003

    Publication series

    NameSAE Technical Papers
    ISSN (Print)0148-7191

    Conference

    Conference2003 - ICES
    Country/TerritoryCanada
    CityVancouver
    Period2003-07-072003-07-10

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Automotive Engineering
    • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
    • Pollution
    • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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