ISS - Expedition 64 Mission patch.
Dec. 18, 2020
Scientific investigations conducted aboard the International Space Station the week of Dec. 14 included crystallizing antibodies in microgravity and studies of changes in the gene expression of fruit flies and how microbes adapt to space.
International Space Station (ISS). Image Credit: NASA
Seven crew members currently inhabit the station, including four from NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which increases 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:
Making better antibodies
Image above: NASA astronaut Victor Glover reviews procedures for the Monoclonal Antibodies PCG experiment, which crystallizes therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in microgravity, where it is possible to achieve higher quality crystals than on Earth. The investigation could accelerate the development of advanced therapies that target cancer cells. Image Credit: NASA.
Monoclonal Antibodies PCG assesses the differences in how various therapeutic monoclonal antibodies crystallize. Monoclonal antibodies are lab-created immune system proteins designed to interact with specific targets such as cancer cells. It is possible to produce higher quality crystals in microgravity, and this capability could support development of drugs with reduced cost, improved stability, and greater ease of administration. During the week, the crew performed set-up of the protein crystal growth (PCG) plates, which are kept in a temperature-controlled location on the space station for crystallization.
The genes behind daily rhythms
Image above: Genes in Space-7, an investigation designed by Finsam Samson (left) and Yujie Wang (right) while at Troy High School in Troy, Michigan, studies how microgravity influences nervous system function. Image Credit: Genes in Space.
Genes in Space-7 is a student-designed experiment that flew to the space station after winning a Genes in Space competition, a nation-wide contest that challenges students to design DNA analysis experiments. The study establishes a process for examining changes in gene expression in fruit flies, targeting those in the nervous system related to circadian or daily rhythm. This system of daily rhythms for bodily processes is regulated by light cues, which space travel disrupts. This study could improve our understanding of how spaceflight affects brain function, helping scientists keep astronauts healthy as they prepare for long-duration missions in low-Earth orbit and beyond. Crew members amplify DNA from the samples using the onboard miniPCR, a procedure validated on-orbit as part of a previous Genes in Space investigation.
Microbes on microgravity
During the week, the crew collected Micro-14A samples and inserted them into the Minus Eighty Degree Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) for preservation. This investigation expands on previous studies to define the mechanisms by which cells of the yeast Candida albicans adapt to space. This opportunistic pathogen can cause serious illness in immunocompromised hosts, but the specific mechanism by which it converts from benign organism into pathogen are not fully understood. Astronauts often experience changes in immune response during flight and so could be at risk for infection from this and other opportunistic pathogens that may become more virulent in microgravity. A better understanding of microbial adaption to environmental stresses contributes to protecting crew member health during long-duration spaceflight.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- Myotones, an ESA (European Space Agency) investigation, observes the biochemical properties of muscles during long-term exposure to spaceflight.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7573
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA’s) Confocal Space Microscopy facility provides fluorescence images of biological samples on-orbit, which can provide data on the fundamental nature of cellular and tissue structure and function in real-time.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=7428
- The Vascular series from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) includes Vascular Aging and Vascular Echo, investigations that examine how microgravity affects the carotid arteries, which carry blood to the head.
https://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/sciences/vascular.asp
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7644
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1664
Animation above: A microscope image of engineered heart tissue from the Cardinal Heart investigation, which analyzes changes in gene expression in heart tissues that occur in microgravity. Animation Credit: NASA.
- Cardinal Heart studies changes seen in the human heart after spending time in microgravity, using engineered heart tissues (EHTs) to analyze changes in gene expression in three heart cell types.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8218
Image above: NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins conducts activities for Fiber Optic Production, an experiment that creates optical fibers in microgravity. Such fibers should exhibit far superior qualities to those produced on Earth. Image Credit: NASA.
- 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
- 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 medication to protect both astronauts and people on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8273
- Standard Measures collects a set of consistent measurements from U.S. crew members to help characterize the effects of living and working in space on the human body.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7711
- Space Organogenesis, an investigation from 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
- Rotifer B2, an ESA 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 microgravity 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
- Food Acceptability looks at how the appeal of food changes during long-duration missions. Whether crew members like and actually eat foods directly affects caloric intake and associated nutritional benefits.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7562
- ISS Ham gives groups of students an opportunity to ask questions of crew members as the space station passes over their school, camp, museum, or other facility.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=337
Space to Ground - Cardinal Heart Study 12-18-2020
Related links:
Expedition 64: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition64/index.html
Commercial Crew Program: https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/crew/index.html
Monoclonal Antibodies PCG: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8226
Genes in Space-7: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8350
Micro-14A: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7642
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), Animation (mentioned), Video (NASA), Text, Credits: NASA/Michael Johnson/John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist Expedition 64.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
