‘SOS’ lecture explores microbiomes on space station

WHO: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists Crystal Jaing and Nick Be, along with Dougherty Valley High School teacher Katherine Huang, will present "Monitoring Microbiomes: Detection on the International Space Station." This is the fourth and final lecture in the 2020 Science on Saturday series that delves into the mysteries of space.

WHAT: This talk will cover how Laboratory scientists measured the microbial composition from both environment and space station samples using DNA sequencing and the Lawrence Livermore Microbial Detection Array. The analysis showed that the microbial content from crew members and environmental surface samples evolve over time, and there is a high exchange of bacteria between the crew and space station surfaces. This study will shed light on future crew and ISS environmental microbial surveillance efforts and the design of preventive measures to maintain crew habitat and minimize risk against potentially problematic microorganisms onboard spacecraft destined for long-term space travel.

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 29

•              First presentation: 9:30 a.m.
•              Second presentation: 11:15 a.m.

WHERE: Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore.

NOTE: Science on Saturday is sponsored by LLNL's University Relations and Science Education Program. Lectures are free and open to the public and specifically targeted to middle and high school students. No pre-registration is required; seating is on a first-come basis. For more information about Science on Saturday, visit the web or contact Joanna Albala, Education Program manager, at (925) 422-6803 or albala1 [at] llnl.gov (email).