Nucleic acid detection aboard the International Space Station by colorimetric loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)

Abstract

Abstract Human spaceflight endeavors present an opportunity to expand our presence beyond Earth. To this end, it is crucial to understand and diagnose effects of long‐term space travel on the human body. Developing tools for targeted, on‐site detection of specific DNA sequences will allow us to establish research and diagnostics platforms that will benefit space programs. We describe a simple DNA diagnostic method that utilizes colorimetric loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to enable detection of a repetitive telomeric DNA sequence in as little as 30 minutes. A proof of concept assay for this method was carried out using existing hardware on the International Space Station and the results were read instantly by an astronaut through a simple color change of the reaction mixture. LAMP offers a novel platform for on‐orbit DNA‐based diagnostics that can be deployed on the International Space Station and to the broader benefit of space programs.

Keywords

• diagnostics
• DNA amplification
• PCR
• space exploration