Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics

Offworld Genomics Research: DNA Decryption Experiment On ISS

By Keith Cowing

Status Report

NASA/Astrobiology.com

December 14, 2025

Filed under biotechnology, DNA, DNA Decryption, DNA sequencing, genomics, ISS, Jonny Kim, Microgravity, minION, Oxford Nanopore

Offworld Genomics Research: DNA Decryption Experiment On ISS — NASA astronaut Jonny Kim conducts research operations for the Noblis /Voyagerr DNA Decryption experiment iss073e0815503 (Sept. 26, 2025) larger image

NASA astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Jonny Kim shows off research hardware from the Noblis / Voyager DNA Decryption experiment taking place inside the International Space Station’s Harmony module.

NASA astronaut Jonny Kim conducts research operations for the Noblis /Voyager DNA Decryption experiment iss073e0815503 (Sept. 26, 2025) Larger image

Detail: note the Nanopore MinION sequencer.

Secure and reliable data storage and transmission are essential to maintain the protection, accuracy, and accessibility of information.

In these photos, NASA astronaut Jonny Kim displays research hardware that tests the viability of encoding, transmitting, and decoding encrypted information via DNA sequences. As part of this experiment, DNA with encrypted information is sequenced aboard the space station to determine the impact of the space environment on its stability.

Using DNA to store and transmit data could reduce the weight and energy requirements compared to traditional methods used for long-duration space missions and Earth-based industries.

M+171: During a summer break in medical school I spent time working under Dr. Ami Bhatt and Mathew Meyerson at the Broad Institute, famous for their early work and research sequencing DNA. I never thought I would be sequencing DNA from space. Also the devices to sequence DNA are… pic.twitter.com/J9z01D0dgO
— Jonny Kim (@JonnyKimUSA) November 20, 2025

Learn more about DNA Decryption, NASA