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专家:未来淀粉生产可脱离农业种植,让人类有太空生存能力
Guan Cha Zhe Wang·2025-09-21 07:50

Core Insights - The breakthrough in artificial starch synthesis through synthetic biology allows for starch production without reliance on agricultural resources such as land and freshwater, potentially reshaping the landscape of biological manufacturing and agricultural production [1][3]. Group 1: Synthetic Biology Overview - Synthetic biology, originating from the term coined by French chemist Stéphane Leduc in 1911, is an interdisciplinary field that combines biology, genomics, engineering, and informatics to design biological systems and even create new life [3]. - The artificial synthesis of starch represents a milestone in synthetic biology, moving from natural photosynthesis processes to engineered methods that utilize carbon dioxide, water, and hydrogen as raw materials [3][4]. Group 2: Technological Advancements - The research team led by Ma Yanhe successfully identified the optimal pathway from 6,568 biochemical reactions, addressing challenges in thermodynamic matching and metabolic flow balance to synthesize starch [4]. - The latest version of the artificial starch synthesis pathway has improved energy conversion efficiency by 3.5 times and reduced synthesis time from 2-3 months to just a few days, indicating a significant advancement in industrial starch production capabilities [6]. Group 3: Market Potential - The global synthetic biology market has grown from $5.3 billion in 2018 to over $17 billion in 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 27%, and is projected to reach nearly $50 billion by 2028 [8]. - The integration of artificial intelligence in synthetic biology is enhancing the rational design process, expanding applications to complex molecules such as sucrose, hexose, and biodegradable materials, providing new solutions for the food, energy, and pharmaceutical industries [6]. Group 4: Event and Collaboration - The "Good Hope Science Salon" event, co-hosted by various organizations, aims to create a platform for impactful interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange in the field of synthetic biology [10]. - Over 100 experts, scholars, and industry leaders participated in discussions about technological advancements and commercialization prospects in synthetic biology [6].