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WELCOME TO THE
GENES IN SPACE
CHALLENGE

Who can participate?


You must live in the USA and be in grades 7-12
You can work alone or in a team of up to 4 students
You must be available to present at the Genes in Space finals at the ISS Research & Development Conference in Washington, D.C. on July 25-28, 2022.


We encourage you to seek mentorship from
a teacher, parent, or another science enthusiast

APPLYING IS EASY

STEP 1
Accept the challenge

We invite you to design a DNA experiment that addresses challenges in space travel and deep space exploration. From bacterial cell growth to the human immune system, everything works a little differently in space.

Choose a topic that interests you and tell us why it’s important for space exploration.

Need help getting started?
Watch videos about current space biology research

STEP 2
Define your hypothesis

Propose a clear hypothesis. Here’s where the research comes in: what’s already known about this system on Earth and in space?

Get started:
Visit the Genes in Space Learn page

STEP 3
Choose an approach

Your experiment should make creative use of one or more elements of the Genes in Space toolkit. Select the tools that are best suited to solving your problem and explain how you’ll use them to answer your question.

Explore the toolkit

STEP 4
Make your case

As the only permanently crewed orbiting research facility, the ISS is a precious resource. Explain why this unique environment is required to test your hypothesis. How will humanity – whether in space or on Earth – benefit from your work?.

Learn more about ISS

STEP 5
Click submit

Check your work and send your application off! Know that at the other end, our panel of scientists can’t wait to review your proposal.

The Genes in Space 2022 contest has closed. Want to begin preparing for next year? Preview our application form.

TIMELINE

Open
January 13, 2022
Develop your idea
Submit
April 18, 2022
Awardees & semifinalists
May 2, 2022
Finalists
May 16, 2022
Mentoring
June - July
Winners announced
July 28, 2022
Space Biology Camp
Fall 2022
Your DNA experiment in space
2023

AWARDS

Finalists, Honorable Mentions, Junior Scientist Awardees and Constellation Awardees will receive complete P51 Fluorescence Biotechnology Kits for their schools. Each kit includes a class set of P51 Fluorescence Viewers, a classroom set of micropipettes, micropipette tips and a Learning Lab kit - a $700 value.

p51 genes OK.png
30
Semifinalists

Provide a short video pitch on your experiment for a chance to advance as a Finalist.

5
Finalists

Receive mentoring from Harvard and MIT scientists.
Present proposals to the Genes in Space judges for a chance to win.
Watch 2021 Finalist Presentations

1
Genes in Space Winner

Participate in Space Biology Camp to prepare your experiment for space travel.
Travel to Kennedy Space Center to see the launch.
Launch your DNA experiment to space!

5
Junior Scientist Awards

For students in grades 7-8 with outstanding ideas.

5
Constellation Awards

For the schools with the most
submissions from each of
the five regions of the U.S.

10
Honorable Mentions

For teams whose proposals
display remarkable scientific
rigor and creativity.

FAQ

What is the deadline again?

You must submit your experimental idea online on or before April 11, 2022 at 11:59pm PDT.

Do I need any biotechnology equipment or access to a lab to enter the competition?

No. Your submission will be judged on creative and scientific merit of your idea. If selected as the winner, you will attend Space Biology Camp to prepare your experiment for space travel.

Does my experiment need to use Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)?

Not necessarily! You may use any tool in the Genes in Space toolkit - alone or together. However, access to these tools or prior knowledge of how to use them is not required.

Can I access other molecular biology tools aboard the ISS?

For the purposes of your proposal, yes. Your Genes in Space proposal may include any tool that is necessary for your experiment. Most prior Genes in Space experiments have analyzed DNA samples by gel electrophoresis of samples returned to Earth. The Genes in Space-3 investigation has recently opened up the possibility of direct DNA sequencing of samples amplified on-orbit. Genes in Space winners will work alongside their mentors, astronauts, and space biologists to push the boundaries of DNA analysis in space!

What biotech equipment will finalist schools be awarded?

Finalists’ schools will be awarded a P51 Fluorescence Biotechnology Kit, including a class set of P51 Fluorescence Viewers, a classroom set of micropipettes, micropipette tips and a Learning Lab kit - a $700 value. More details.

If I win, will my experiment be done in space?

Yes! The winning experimental design will be conducted aboard the International Space Station, pending approval from The ISS U.S. National Laboratory. The exact launch date will be determined after winners are announced.

Will I be able to get the sample back after the experiment?

Yes, the experimental plan includes returning your DNA samples back to Earth for further analysis, validation, controls, or just to store a piece of Space DNA!

Can my experiment utilize quantitative PCR (qPCR)?

miniPCR is a conventional (end point) PCR thermal cycler. However, you can propose an experiment that uses quantitative PCR (also referred to as real-time PCR or qPCR). It won’t affect your chances of winning the competition.

How will I know if I win?

All finalists will be announced on this website, in the Genes in Space newsletter, and on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

Where can I find information about previous finalists?

In 2020 and 2021, finalists presented their ideas in a virtual event called our Finalist Launchpad. Additionally, since 2019, finalists have published their proposals in the Journal of Emerging Investigators.

Where will the finals round of the 2022 competition be held?

2022 finalists will present their ideas to contest judges at the ISS Research & Development Conference, which will be held July 25-28, 2022 in Washington, D.C. At least one student from each finalist team must be available to present at the conference.

I have so many great ideas, can I submit more than one proposal to the Genes in Space contest?

No, not to the same Genes in Space contest. We can only accept one proposal per student per contest year. However you are welcome to participate in Genes in Space every year that you are eligible. That means you can submit your best idea this year and save you other ideas to submit in future years. 

I don't attend school in the United States. Can I participate?

Unfortunately no, the current Genes in Space contest is only open to students in 7-12 grade in the United States. In 2016 we offered a contest in the United Arab Emirates and hope to offer more international contests in the future.  

Can I form a team with students from different schools?

Absolutely! In fact, our 2018 winning team was made up of students from different high schools.

I am homeschooled. Can I participate?

Yes! We welcome submissions from homeschooled students.

My question has not been answered. What do I do if I have another question?

You can email us at genesinspace@minipcr.com.