Fig. 1. Overview of major challenges and requirements for deploying synthetic biology-based platforms in outside-the-lab settings.

Outside-the-lab scenarios have wide-ranging challenges and requirements for synthetic biology that are more demanding than typical laboratory settings. This figure provides a basic overview of major challenges and requirements associated with four major outside-the-lab settings including: space missions, developing nations, military missions, and agricultural settings. Challenges and requirements common to all settings are listed in the center, and those specific to certain outside-the-lab settings are listed in their respective boxes.