The Genes in Space-12 experiment is ready for takeoff!
The next Genes in Space investigation is expected to launch in late August on the SpX-33 resupply mission. This experiment, designed by 2024 Genes in Space winners Julia Gross and Isabelle Chuang, will lay the initial groundwork for a completely new way to treat bacterial infections in space using bacteriophages. The experimental samples were prepared at miniPCR bio by Dr. Ally Huang, Lead Research Scientist at miniPCR bio, and at New England Biolabs by Dr. Jesse Pyle, Research Scientist at New England Biolabs.
The Genes in Space-12 investigation seeks to validate two fundamental requirements for bacteriophage therapy to be viable in space:
- Testing the potential to produce some components of phage in space using cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems. This is different from the usual method that requires live cells, which are difficult to grow and maintain on a spacecraft. CFPS technology has recently been validated on the International Space Station through Genes in Space student-led investigations, and now extending it to making components of phage could eventually lead to producing and assembling full phages on demand.
- Establishing a simple, visual method to test whether phages can combat bacteria in space. The standard lab test is complicated and requires equipment not readily available on the space station. In this investigation, we will validate a novel yet simple method that uses fluorescence to confirm bacterial lysis and cell death.
The results of this investigation could eventually lead to phage therapy becoming a real option for keeping astronauts safe from harmful microbes on long missions.
Enjoy the picture gallery below!
The team gets ready to science! Dr. Ally Huang and Dr. Jesse Pyle smile while in virtual meeting with Genes in Space winners Julia Gross and Isabelle Chuang, and their mentor Dr. Kayleigh Ingersoll Omdhal.
The team reviews the NEB reagents used to prepare the CFPS reactions. NEB PURExpress® In Vitro Protein Synthesis Kit will be used on the International Space Station to make synthetic molecular components of bacteriophages.
"All systems are go!" signals NEB Research Scientist Dr. Jesse Pyle.
Fluorescence visualization through a Genes in Space Viewer confirms the samples are successfully prepped! The Genes in Space Viewer aboard the International Space Station will be used to confirm experimental outcomes of this GiS-12 investigation.
Bon voyage! 🚀 Samples get on their way to Kennedy Space Center for launch aboard the SpX-33 Comercial Resupply Services mission - bound for the International Space Station!
