Exploring the role of CRISPR in advancing space biotechnology: challenges and solutions for human survival beyond earth

Abstract

As space exploration advances toward long-duration missions and the potential colonization of extraterrestrial environments, innovative strategies are required to address the physiological, agricultural, and environmental challenges associated with spaceflight. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 gene-editing technology has emerged as a promising platform for overcoming these challenges through precise genetic modifications in humans, plants, and microorganisms. This review comprehensively examines the potential applications of CRISPR in space biotechnology, focusing on enhancing astronaut health by targeting genes associated with muscle atrophy, bone loss, radiation resistance, and immune function. It also discusses the potential of CRISPR to engineer crops capable of thriving under space conditions, including microgravity, elevated radiation, limited resources, and constrained lighting, through improved photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient utilization, and stress tolerance. Furthermore, the review explores the use of CRISPR-engineered microorganisms to support closed-loop life-support systems by improving air purification, water recycling, and waste biodegradation. Unlike previous reviews that primarily address individual aspects of CRISPR or space biotechnology, this review integrates advances in astronaut health, space agriculture, and microbial engineering within a unified framework while critically evaluating the associated ethical, technical, regulatory, and biosafety challenges. It also identifies current knowledge gaps and future research priorities to facilitate the responsible development and implementation of CRISPR-based technologies for long-duration space missions. Collectively, these insights highlight the transformative potential of CRISPR to support sustainable human exploration and long-term habitation beyond Earth.