NYC Gazette

Natania Birnbaum, a 2024 graduate from the M.S. in Biotechnology Management and Entrepreneurship program, is exploring the potential of duckweed as a viable crop for space agriculture. Duckweed, known for its small size and high nutritional value, has garnered attention for its ability to thrive in space conditions.

“In space, we need crops that produce a lot of nutritious material with minimal resources and volume and that can grow very fast and tolerate environmental extremes,” said Birnbaum. Her research was conducted at Growmics, an Illinois-based company founded by John McShane ’21, as part of her capstone course. She presented her findings at the Katz School’s 2024 research symposium on May 9.

The Katz School’s M.S. in Biotechnology Management and Entrepreneurship prepares students for roles such as research analysts and project managers. Dr. Rana Khan stated that the program “prepares students to become leaders in innovation,” focusing on commercializing biotechnology products through specialized coursework and practical experiences like Birnbaum's project.

Birnbaum's project involved studying duckweed biology, genetics, cultivation methods, industry players, and market projections. “Their genomes are very simple, lacking many genes found in other plants, which allows them to hybridize readily,” she explained. The nutritional profile of duckweed resembles animal proteins, making it attractive amid growing veganism trends.

Duckweed is high in protein and rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and Omega-3s. Its suitability for space missions stems from its soil-free growth requirement, reducing materials needed for cultivation.

“The findings of this survey show that the nutritional density, hardiness, genetic malleability and low resource requirements of duckweed make it a promising subject of study for space-based farming,” Birnbaum noted. The market for duckweed is expected to expand significantly.

Birnbaum highlighted duckweed's capability to absorb nutrients directly from water beneficially impacts closed-loop life support systems by recycling waste products and purifying water. Its compact size makes it suitable for confined spaces using hydroponic or aeroponic systems.

“By incorporating duckweed into these systems, space habitats can become more self-sustaining and resilient,” said Birnbaum.