Abstract EANA2026-127

Astrobiology seeks to answer three of the most profound questions we have as humans: where do we come from? Where are we going? and Are we alone in the universe? The prevailing approach is scientific, to discover what has happened on Earth, and use it as a template for the exploration of other worlds, and to extrapolate to the future. The engineering discipline of synthetic biology, as "the art of the possible", allows us to explore alternate scenarios. Here we elucidate why synthetic biology, including building cells, can be an experimental approach for astrobiology, articulating a path forward. We begin by outlining some of the major gaps in our knowledge of astrobiology, focusing on early evolution on Earth and the potential for life elsewhere and then explore how using synthetic biology as an experimental approach for the construction of cells can address these needs. By this, we not only gain insights into the potential diversity of cellular life by leveraging synthetic biology's ability to engineer novel life forms, but we also challenge conventional paradigms, adding a dynamic and imaginative dimension to astrobiological questions.