Carbon Forge Red: Engineering a Photoautotrophic System for the Conversion of CO₂ into L-Lactic Acid as a Raw Material for Poly Lactic Acid on Mars.
HTGAA 2026: Individual Final Project Documentation SECTION 1: ABSTRACT Abstract: Sustainable Mars settlement requires In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) to reduce dependence on Earth-based supply chains. This project addresses the critical need for manufacturing materials on Mars by engineering a biological system to convert atmospheric $CO_2$ into Polylactic Acid (PLA), a versatile bioplastic for 3D printing. The broad objective is to create a photoautotrophic platform using Chlorella vulgaris for carbon fixation and polymer precursor production. We hypothesize that by redirecting metabolic flux from pyruvate to lactate via the introduction of $L$-lactate dehydrogenase ($Lldh$) and pyruvate kinase ($pk$), while knocking down phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase ($ppc$), significant yields of $L$-lactic acid can be achieved. Specific aims include genetically modifying the algae, validating lactate accumulation, and refining extraction protocols. Methods involve CRISPR-based metabolic engineering, cell lysis, and chromatography for purification, followed by chemical polymerization. This system bridges the gap in Martian ISRU by providing a renewable source for construction and tool fabrication. SECTION 2: PROJECT AIMS Define three aims for your final project (minimum one sentence per aim).