DEVELOPMENT OF METHODS AND ONBOARD EQUIPMENT TO ASSURE ASEPTIC
CONDITIONS PERFORMING BIOTECHNOLOGY EXPERIMENTS DURING MANNED SPACEFLIGHT
(ASEPTIK)
Research Area: Microbiology
Expedition(s): 21-ongoing
Principle Investigator(s): ● Tatiana K. Krasheninnikova, PhD, Biokhimmash,
Moscow, Russia
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Development of Methods and Onboard Equipment to Assure Aseptic Conditions
Performing Biotechnology Experiments During Manned Spaceflight (Aseptik) investigation
onducts an experimental assessment of the reliability and efficiency of methods and
equipment, for assuring aseptic (sterile) conditions for biological investigations performed on
board ISS.
EARTH BENEFITS
Performance of this investigation makes it possible to expand the circle of tasks for space
biotechnology experiments in the direction of solving the issue of obtaining biological end-
products in an integrated technological chain and refine stage-by-stage processes during orbital
flight.
SPACE BENEFITS
The Glovebox-S apparatus makes it possible to assure the sterility and cleanliness of
experiments being conducted, and prevents contamination of the ISS Russian Segment, thus
assuring crew safety. The use of this equipment is the first step on the path to creating a bio-lab
module on board an orbital station that will be the site of laboratory production of biological
preparations and target biologically active substances for long-term interplanetary flights and
planetary stations.
RESULTS
During the course of the Aseptik investigation it was revealed that the interior air space of the
glovebox was not sterile for bacteria. Moreover, this experiment also revealed the non-sterility
Photographs of cultures grown in Poverkhnost samplers after the Aseptik experiment was conducted. Poverkhnost
6.1 and Poverkhnost 6.4 show green mold; Poverkhnost 6.5 shows cocci.Poverkhnost 6.1 Poverkhnost 6. 4 Poverkhnost 6. 5