LEIA will conduct biological research on the Moon by delivering yeast to the lunar surface, and studying its response to radiation and lunar gravity.

• LEIA: An Investigation of Radiation Risks to Biology at the Lunar South Pole
• LEIA: Lunar Explorer Instrument for space biology Applications
• NASA Selects New Instruments for Priority Artemis Science on Moon

Understanding the Genomic Impacts on Microalgae After Growth in the International Space StationPlants and microbes can be used for biological support of crewed space missions. The radiation and microgravity environment of spaceflight is expected to increase genetic mutation of all organisms. It is essential to understand how spaceflight impacts mutation rates in photosynthetic organisms to enable appropriate countermeasures and ensure productivity during long duration and deep space missions. The Space Algae flight experiments to the International Space Station (ISS) are studying the genomic stability of microalgae that could potentially be used in biological life support systems. Space Algae-1 grew ultraviolet light mutagenized Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in the VEGGIE plant growth chamber for approximately 40 mitotic generations over one month on the ISS. Whole genome sequencing from pooled cell samples every 10 generations revealed that spaceflight cultures had an ~50% increase in DNA polymorphisms relative to ground controls. These mutations had a novel base substitution signature and suggested a risk that microalgae may be unstable for long-term production in space. Space Algae-2 is focusing on the edible cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis, commonly known as Spirulina. This experiment seeks to grow serial cultures to allow the organism to evolve in long-term spaceflight. Biological responses of the cells to spaceflight will be assessed with multi-omics analyses to determine mutation load, gene/protein expression, metabolic/nutritional composition, and cell morphology.

• Space Algae-2 Ground and Lunar Analog Studies in Preparation for Long-Duration Propagation of Cyanobacteria in Spaceflight

The BioNutrients system uses a small storage pack containing a dried, edible growth substrate and microorganisms genetically engineered to rapidly produce controlled quantities of essential nutrients. Because the growth substrate and microorganisms both have a long shelf-life at room temperature and they only need water to be activated, the system provides a simple, practical way to produce essential nutrients on-demand. The investigation consists of two parts. The first part of the experiment uses packs containing a common food microorganism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, more commonly known as baker’s yeast, that has been genetically engineered to produce zeaxanthin, which is an antioxidant crucial to eye health, or beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A. The experimental packs are activated by adding water, which allows the yeast to grow on the substrate and produce the nutrients. The packs are then frozen and sent back down to Earth for analysis. For the second part of the experiment, a wide range of other specially-prepared biomanufacturing and probiotic microorganisms are stored at ambient temperature on the International Space Station. Samples are returned to Earth at different time points over the course of the five years to assess how well the various organisms function after prolonged storage.

• BioNutrients: Microbial production of on-demand nutrients on the International
Space Station
• What is BioNutrients?
• BioNutrients: A Five-Year Experiment in Space Nears Completion
• BioNutrients Flight Experiments
• BioNutrients-1: On-Demand Production of Nutrients in Space
• A Fresh Take: NASA BioNutrients for Future Artemis Missions

The CO2-Based Manufacturing, involves constructing a system that makes media for microbial biomanufacturing using in situ resources such as CO2 and water, as well as making space-relevant bioreactors and engineered organisms to make needed products.