ISS National Laboratory Archives - Astrobiology

The POLARIS experiment undergoes ground-based testing ahead of integration with the MISSE Flight Facility outside the ISS. Credit: Aegis Aerospace and the U.S. Government

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Desert Worlds, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Gravitational Biology, Microgravity, Panspermia, Radiation, Sample Return, Space Life Science, Status Report

Antarctic Microbe Survival Tests Aboard The International Space Station

by Keith CowingMay 14, 2026May 14, 2026

An international team is sending microbes from Antarctica and Chile to the International Space Station (ISS) to study how they withstand radiation and other spaceflight stressors.

Left: A drop of protein solution less than two and a half centimeters in diameter formed in the RSD onboard the International Space Station. Right: An image showing a computed Newtonian flow diagram for the drop. Media Credit: J. Adam

Commercial & Private Sector, Microgravity, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Space Stations

NSF-funded Microgravity Research Heads To The international Space Station On SpaceX CRS-32

by Keith CowingApril 18, 2025

Three investigations funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and sponsored by the International Space Station (ISS International Space Station) National Laboratory are launching on SpaceX’s 32nd Commercial Resupply […]

Correlative images of a eukaryotic cell expressing native fluorescence captured by DHM amplitude and VFI intensity.

Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

Tricorder Tech: Space Station Imaging System to Enhance Space Biology and Life Detection Beyond Earth

by Keith CowingApril 15, 2025June 12, 2025

Onboard the International Space Station (ISS), the Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System, dubbed ELVIS, is not about resurrecting rock-n-roll legends but pioneering scientific discovery. Using innovative holographic technology to deliver […]

An image captured during in-orbit microscopy showing a human brain organoid model of iSPC-derived neurons and astrocytes expressing a neuron-specific AAV vector-delivered gene. Image credit: Axonis Theraputics Larger image

Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Commercial & Private Sector, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Space Life Science, Space Physiology & Medicine, Space Stations

Offworld Life Science: Brain Organoids Grown In Microgravity

by Keith CowingNovember 21, 2024November 21, 2024

Did you know some viruses don’t cause illness and can instead be used to treat disease? Biotechnology startup Axonis Therapeutics reprogrammed a virus to carry a novel gene therapy to […]

Isabel Jiang watches along as astronauts complete her experiment on the ISS. -- miniPCR Bio

Astronauts and Explorers, Commercial & Private Sector, Education and Outreach, Exploration Gear & Tech, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microgravity, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Tricorders & Sensors

Tricorder Update: Genes in Space Student-designed Experiment Conducted By Astronauts

by Keith CowingNovember 18, 2024June 12, 2025

On Saturday, September 28th, an experiment designed by Genes in Space 2023 contest winner (18) of Hillsborough, California, launched to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard NASA’s Crew-9 mission. The […]

ISS National Lab-Sponsored Investigation Aims to Expand Genes in Space™ Toolkit on Station A view of the miniPCR machine in the cupola on the International Space Station -- NASA (larger image)

Biophysics, Commercial & Private Sector, Education and Outreach, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Tricorders & Sensors

Offworld Genomics Research: Expanding The Genes in Space™ Toolkit On The International Space Station

by Keith CowingJanuary 29, 2024January 29, 2024

For nearly a decade, Genes in Space™ has challenged students to develop spaceflight experiments that use biotechnology to address spaceflight challenges. Founded by Boeing and miniPCRbio, the program relies on […]