LAB-ON-A-CHIP APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT-PORTABLE TEST SYSTEM –
EXPLORATION (LOCAD-PTS-EXPLORATION)
Research Area: Air, Water and Surface Monitoring
Expedition(s): 18
Principal Investigator(s): ● Jake G. Maule, PhD, Carnegie Institution of Washington,
Washington, DC
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-
Portable Test System - Exploration (LOCAD-
PTS-Exploration) is a handheld device for
rapid detection and quantification of
biological substances aboard the
International Space Station (ISS). LOCAD-
PTS-Exploration tested procedures aboard
the ISS that will ultimately support
scientific activities during the human
exploration of other planets. For the first
time, external surfaces of a spacecraft were
sampled for biological material during
extra-vehicular activity (EVA or spacewalk),
followed by analysis within the cabin
environment.
EARTH BENEFITS
The procedures used in this study to detect biological material in the hostile environment of
space have many other applications for similar tests performed in extreme environments on
Earth. These include the investigation of hyperthermophiles (organism that thrives in extremely
hot environments from 60°C and higher) in active volcanic craters and fumeroles (opening in
Earth's crust that emits steam and gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrochloric
acid, and hydrogen sulfide); the detection of lethal viral outbreaks; the exploration of deep sea
flora and fauna by deep divers on the ocean floor; and the evaluation of biological attacks in a
military or civilian situation.
SPACE BENEFITS
The extent to which human space exploration transfers biological material to other planets is
currently unknown. The data obtained with LOCAD-PTS-Exploration serves as a foundation for
planetary protection procedures that will be performed during future human exploration of
other planets.
Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test
System-Exploration principal investigator Jake Maule
swabs a handrail of the S6 Truss.