Video: Sequencing DNA in Space
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Science: No gravity required.
Many things are impossible to do without gravity—like taking a shower, for instance. But one thing astronauts can do? Sequence DNA.
NASA sent up biologist-turned-astronaut Kate Rubins to the International Space Station for four months to conduct a number of biological experiments, including testing the ability to sequence DNA without gravity. It turns out this is one activity that might be easier to do in space.
"After we got done with the tech-dev part of it, we really shot right out of the gate and ended up sequencing a little bit over 2 billion base pairs by the time I left," Rubins said.
To learn more about the experiment, check out the video below, from Wired: