ISS - Expedition 64 Mission patch.
Dec. 11, 2020
The week of Dec. 7, crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted a wide variety of investigations, including extracting microbial DNA, growing protein crystals, and studies of cardiovascular health. A SpaceX Dragon on the company’s 21st cargo resupply mission arrived at the station on Monday carrying a variety of new research and technology demonstrations.
Image above: The SpaceX Cargo Dragon vehicle approaches the space station as both vehicles orbit above the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico. A portion of the SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle docked to the station is visible in the top right. Image Credit: NASA.
The seven crew members currently aboard include four from NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, increasing the crew time available for science on the orbiting lab. The space station has been continuously inhabited by humans for 20 years and has supported many scientific breakthroughs during that time. The station provides a platform for long-duration research in microgravity and for learning to live and work in space, experience that supports Artemis, NASA’s program to go forward to the Moon and on to Mars.
Here are details on some of the microgravity investigations currently taking place:
Studying microbial DNA in space
During the week, the crew collected samples from surfaces in the space station, extracted DNA, and amplified it using the miniPCR16 for a demonstration of the Biomole Facility. Coming up next for the astronauts is the sequencing of the DNA. The facility is part of the Environmental Health System (EHS) Crew Health Care System (CHeCS) effort, which supports future exploration such as Gateway and Mars transit missions when returning samples to Earth for analysis would be less practical. This demonstration conducts comparative analysis for possible replacement of the current microbial monitoring systems aboard the space station. Previously, the Biomolecule Sequencer demonstrated that DNA sequencing is feasible in space. In addition to identifying microbes on the space station, space-based DNA sequencing can be used to monitor crew health, diagnose diseases, and even help detect DNA-based life elsewhere in the solar system.
Growing protein crystals at different temperatures
Image above: Hardware for the JAXA Moderate Temp PCG investigation in the KIBO laboratory. This investigation grows high quality protein crystals in microgravity to determine structural details of proteins that may be used to develop pharmaceuticals. Image Credit: NASA.
The JAXA Moderate Temp PCG and JAXA Low Temp PCG investigations from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency grow high quality protein crystals in microgravity. Low Temp PCG crystallizes proteins at 4 degrees C and Moderate Temp PCG crystallizes proteins at 20 degrees C, allowing researchers to examine the effects of temperature on crystal quality. Crystals are returned to Earth to determine details of protein structures that are used to develop pharmaceuticals and explore functions of the human body. During the week, crew members prepared for runs of both investigations.
Examining engineered heart tissue
Image above: NASA astronaut Kate Rubins works on a tissue change for the Cardinal Heart experiment. Results from this study could help establish screening measures to predict cardiovascular risk in humans prior to spaceflight, and lead to new treatments for people with heart disease on Earth. Image Credit: NASA.
Microgravity causes changes in the human heart that look much the same as those seen in age-related diseases on Earth. These changes affect the tissues of the heart that perform work, causing molecular and structural abnormalities that can lead to disease. Cardinal Heart studies these changes at the cellular and tissue level using engineered heart tissues (EHTs). Researchers plan to analyze changes in gene expression in each of three cell types. Results could help establish screening measures to predict cardiovascular risk in humans prior to spaceflight, and lead to new treatments for people with heart disease on Earth. The crew managed the habitat for the EHTs during the week.
Analyzing arteries
The Vascular series, a suite of studies from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), examines how time in microgravity affects astronauts’ carotid arteries. Carotid arteries are located in the neck and help transport blood to the head. The Vascular series includes Vascular Echo, for which crew members collect blood samples, monitor ambulatory blood pressure, and perform resting and exercise ultrasounds. Vascular Aging also uses artery ultrasound and blood samples as well as oral glucose tolerance tests and wearable sensors. Results could provide insight into potential countermeasures to help maintain crew member health in space and improve quality of life for people on Earth. The crew performed a 13-hour blood pressure monitoring session for Vascular Echo during the week.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- Fiber Optic Production produces fiber optic cable in space from a blend of elements called ZBLAN. Previous research suggests optical fibers produced in microgravity should exhibit superior qualities to those produced on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7630
- BRE focuses on fire prevention in spacecraft, examining burning conditions and the flammability of materials in microgravity. BRE is part of ACME, a set of six independent studies of gaseous flames intended to advance fuel efficiency and reduce pollutant production in practical combustion on Earth, and to improve spacecraft fire prevention.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7629
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1651
Image above: NASA astronaut Victor Glover installs gear for MVP Cell-06, an investigation developing a biological model to study the effects of spaceflight on musculoskeletal disease. Image Credit: NASA.
- MVP Cell-06 studies the effects of spaceflight on musculoskeletal disease. Astronauts experience exercise-related injuries in space and on Earth, and loss of cartilage and bone due to joint injury can lead to arthritis. This investigation could help identify drugs to protect both astronauts and people on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8273
- STaARS BioScience-4 examines the rate of proliferation and differentiation in microgravity of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). OPCs are precursors to a type of central nervous system cell and results could improve neural stem cell studies, including those on tissue regrowth and organ farming.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7503
- Thermal Amine Scrubber tests a system to remove carbon dioxide from the space station’s cabin air. The system also reduces loss of water vapor and recovers carbon dioxide, which can be used to produce oxygen through a process called electrolysis.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7404
- Space Organogenesis, an investigation from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), demonstrates the growth of 3D organ buds from human stem cells in order to analyze changes in gene expression.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8116
- The ISS Experience is creating an immersive virtual reality (VR) series documenting life and research aboard the space station.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7877
- APM measures and quantifies the concentration of both small and large particles in cabin air as part of efforts to maintain air quality in the occupied environment on station, which is vital for the crew’s health.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7936
- Rotifer B2, an ESA (European Space Agency) experiment, explores the cumulative effect of microgravity and space radiation on living organisms.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7995
- Plant Habitat-02 cultivates radish plants (Raphanus sativus) to determine the effects of space on their growth. This model plant is nutritious, has a short cultivation time, and is genetically similar to Arabidopsis, a plant frequently studied in microgravity.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7793
- AstroRad Vest tests a wearable vest designed to protect astronauts from radiation caused by unpredictable solar particle events. Astronauts provide input on how easy the garment is to put on, how it fits and feels, and the range of motion it allows.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7803
Space to Ground: Double Dragons: 12/11/2020
Related links:
Expedition 64: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition64/index.html
Biomolecule Sequencer: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1917
JAXA Moderate Temp PCG: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7427
JAXA Low Temp PCG: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2031
Cardinal Heart: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8218
Vascular series: https://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/sciences/vascular.asp
Vascular Echo: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1664
Vascular Aging: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7644
ISS National Lab: https://www.issnationallab.org/
Spot the Station: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
Space Station Research and Technology: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/overview.html
International Space Station (ISS): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
Images (mentioned), Video (NASA), Text, Credits: NASA/Michael Johnson/John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist Expedition 64.
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