Secondly, the radiation levels on Mars are higher, since there is no protective magnetosphere (1). This means that when the bricks are grown, they will have to withstand a constant level of increased radiation, compared to Earth. Growth experiments were conducted, testing the effects of the increased amounts of $\gamma$-radiation, since $\beta$-radiation and $\alpha$-radiation are fairly easy to block. It was found that the fungus was still able to grow under a level of $\gamma$-radiation, which is comparable to that on the surface of Mars. Controls were prepared, but it is thought that the temperature of the irradiated samples was higher than 20° Celsius, since the controls had grown less than the irradiated samples.

2.

Now that we had faith in our structure based on physics, we could turn our attention to our actual material. Fungus, with their immense biodiversity, holds a wide range of growth conditions that are all affected differently. Unfortunately, our early experiments mostly illustrate that A. oryzae grows at a slower rate, at colder exposure (it showed no growth in the refrigerator over multiple days; we refer to our notebook for further details). We hypothesize that by implementing the choline dehydrogenase and/or betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase from Psychromonas ingrahamii, as was demonstrated by the Stanford-Brown team in 2012 (2), we could surpass this issue.

Due to various phenotypic signals, color changes in the amilCP constructs and MelA constructs, we are optimistic that our system will work on site.

As our project is not necessarily a solution attractive to the general population as most people do not spend their time on considering Mars habitation, we found it difficult to engage with them and troubleshoot our solution outside the circle of specialists. Through our work in human practices, we were able to hear opinions from a wide range of audiences and learn that the topic revolving our project is becoming a more common discussion subject. The biggest issue regarding our project lied with the use of GMO, which around 60% of Denmark do not want (3). It is GMO in food that people hold a negative attitude against and as this is not our goal, we were able to positively influence most opinions.

Our solution compelled to a high percentage and it seemed our solution is encouraged by a meaningful size of the population for a future Mars habitation advancement.

(1) Williams M. 2016. How bad is the radiation on Mars?. Universe Today.

(2) iGEM Stanford-Brown. 2012. Hell Cell – Cold.

(3) Hansen PB. 2010. Danskerne vil ikke spise GMO. Altinget.