Offworld Biology Research: Loral O’Hara Applies Oceanography Lab Skills On The ISS

Posted onTwitter by @lunarloral – Loral O’Hara: SpaceX Cargo Dragon 29 arrived on 11 Nov along with a ton of new research for us to work on! When it comes to science, astronauts on @Space_Station are essentially laboratory technicians – the hands, eyes, and ears of researchers on the ground. Last week, I spent almost three days working in gloveboxes – the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) and the BioFabrication Facility (BFF).

In LSG, I worked on two different experiments investigating ageing and its effects on the immune system, performing sample collections and cell culture media exchanges (feeding the cells and removing their waste). Both experiments are investigating facets of ageing and its effects on the immune system. The physiological changes that occur to the human body and cells in microgravity resemble those seen as we age on Earth, but the changes happen faster – essentially speeding up time for researchers. Understanding these changes could help us understand how to take better care of astronauts on long duration space missions, as well as contribute to the development of more effective treatments on Earth for age-related tissue and immune system degradation and dysfunction.

BFF is a 3D printer capable of “printing” human tissue (3D printers + life sciences… wild). I performed some maintenance to replace faulty electrical components and cabling. In the next few weeks, the printer will be used to print a small piece of heart tissue, which will then be cultured to strengthen the tissue structure before its return to Earth for further study.

Before @NASA, my exposure to laboratory work was mostly only through my scientist friends at @WHOI [Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute] and their laboratories on land and at sea. My glovebox days have been some of my favorite so far – I find the quiet, methodical transfer and exchange of mediums requiring focus and care almost meditative, and the craft in an accurate and efficient workflow very satisfying.

Loral O’Hara At Work On the International Space Station Larger image

Astrobiology, Space Biology,