Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32041: Rhodium Scientific’s Bioprospecting Program: Exploring Novel Natural Product Discoveries in Space

The search for novel natural products has been a driving force behind many important advancements in biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals. From life-saving drugs to groundbreaking treatments, the discovery of new natural products can have a profound impact on human health and wellness. But how can space help scientists unlock new sources of these natural products? Rhodium Scientific’s Bioprospecting Program seeks to answer this question by exploring the potential for space-based discoveries of natural products.

Led by Dr. Heath Mills and Dr. Rebecca Boohaker from Rhodium Scientific, this experiment, conducted during Expedition 68 aboard the ISS, investigates how space conditions can affect the discovery and production of novel natural products. By utilizing the unique environment of microgravity, the team is studying how natural organisms, such as microbes and algae, respond to space conditions. Their goal is to identify novel products that can be used in biotechnology and the biopharma industries.

Microgravity has a profound effect on biological systems, altering how organisms grow, reproduce, and produce valuable substances. This provides a unique opportunity for scientists to explore how space conditions might lead to the discovery of new natural products with applications in medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. For example, certain microbial species might produce compounds in space that they do not produce on Earth, opening up new possibilities for drug development or bioremediation techniques.

This experiment not only advances our understanding of space biology but also lays the groundwork for future biotechnological innovations. By discovering and utilizing new natural products from space, we could unlock breakthroughs that improve human health and support sustainable space missions.

Join the Agnirva Space Internship Program

Get certified with over 100 hours of immersive, self-paced learning in astronomy, cosmology, space technology, and climate science through the Agnirva Space Internship Program. Join, complete virtual projects, and earn a digital certificate to showcase your space fluency in interviews, resumes, and beyond.