Diamonds are expensive: lessons learned about applying synthetic biology for 1000+ year carbon dioxide removal

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Using biotechnology for long-term durable (1000+ years) carbon removal has been of interest for several years, although this field is still in its early stages. Proposed ideas have included the production of highly decay-resistant molecules (such as suberin, enhanced lignin, and sporopollenin), increased root biomass, bio-enhanced rock weathering and carbon mineralization, and hybrid approaches that use biology to enhance direct air capture (DAC). At Living Carbon, we had experience engineering trees for enhanced photosynthesis and fungal decay resistance, but wanted to add a long-term durable carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approach to our portfolio. We applied to Stripe’s Spring 2022 carbon removal purchase cycle with an idea that we had been considering for a while: engineering increased production of sporopollenin. Otherwise known as the “diamond of the plant world,” sporopollenin is the main component of exine, the outer coating of most pollen grains and spores. It is the toughest bi

Diamonds are expensive: lessons learned about applying synthetic biology for 1000+ year carbon dioxide removal BLOG Diamonds are expensive: lessons learned about applying synthetic biology for 1000+ year carbon dioxide removal by Laurel Mills Serena Dao December 4, 2023 R&D Platform Using biotechnology for long-term durable (1000+ years) carbon removal has been of interest for several years , although this field is still in its early stages. Proposed ideas have included the production of highly decay-resistant molecules (such as suberin, enhanced lignin, and sporopollenin), increased root biom

Diamonds are expensive: lessons learned about applying synthetic biology for 1000+ year carbon dioxide removal

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