INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION HIGH EFFICIENCY PARTICLE FILTER ANALYSIS (ISS
HIGH EFFICIENCY PARTICLE FILTER ANALYSIS)
Research Area: Microbiology
Expedition(s): 25, 26, 27 and 28
Principal Investigator(s): ● Robert Friedman, PhD, J. Craig Venter Institute, San Diego,
California
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Microbes are the most abundant life forms on Earth, but the least well characterized and
understood. International Space Station High Efficiency Particle Filter Analysis (ISS High
Efficiency Particle Filter Analysis) studies the microbes present in the air of the International
Space Station (ISS) by examining those trapped on the ISS air filter. The goal is to characterize
the enormous diversity of microbes that are normally present in indoor environments.
EARTH BENEFITS
Humans spend the majority of their lives in indoor environments, but little is known about the
microorganisms living along with us, including in the air we breathe. This research identifies and
helps us understand the vast diversity of microorganisms present in indoor air. Many of these
are beneficial to humans, some are harmful, but most are merely co-inhabitants.
SPACE BENEFITS
In order to maintain crew health aboard the ISS, it is essential to ensure crew members have
clean air to breathe.
Identifying and understanding
the microorganisms present
on the ISS HEPA filters allows
for mitigation of any potential
hazards that may result from
this very specialized
microgravity environment.
RESULTS
Single microbial cells are
currently frozen and waiting to
be sequencing. The analysis
portion of this experiment is
not funded and is awaiting
spare capacity on an
additional run to be
conducted.This investigation is ongoing and additional results are pending publication.
Scanning Electron Microscope image of the International Space Station
High Efficiency Particle Filter Analysis (HEPA) filter displaying collected
bacterial cells and debris particles. J. Craig Venter Institute image.