Page 146 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

invasive double sensor is a highly useful diagnostic tool
for recognizing early warning signs of fatigue during
spacewalks in orbit. On Earth, firefighters, jet pilots,
miners, steel workers, soldiers in combat, divers,
mountaineers, polar explorers, marine fishermen, and
all who work in extreme conditions could benefit from
the new measurement technology. It could also be used
for monitoring during critical hospital operations such
as heart surgery or for monitoring babies in incubators.

Non-invasive Collection of Saliva Helps
Monitor Stress Levels in Real Time
Spitting is discouraged aboard the ISS, unless it helps
monitor the health of crew members. However, while
saliva samples can be useful for such monitoring,
storing them for later analysis on Earth is expensive
and cumbersome, and means any problems that are Paolo Nespoli performs the IN SITU experiment
identified cannot be addressed in a timely manner. onboard the space station.
Increased stress is a common problem associated with Image credit: NASA
spaceflight. The ISS Non-invasive Sample Investigation
and results Transmission to ground with the Utmost
easiness (IN SITU) investigation tested a portable device
to conduct direct, real-time analysis of saliva samples “Saliva is easily and non-invasively collected, especially
on the space station. Investigators used the device in microgravity,” said Principal Investigator Aldo Roda
to monitor stress levels among crew members by of Italy’s University of Bologna. “It does not require
detecting the presence of the stress hormone cortisol. cumbersome pre-analytical treatment procedures;
in this case, it was analyzed as is. Moreover, it is a
The IN SITU device uses disposable cartridges, and
sample collections and analyses are simple to perform. particularly interesting matrix for measuring cortisol,
Crew members collect saliva with a swab, inject the since data in the literature already demonstrate
sample into the cartridge, and push buttons to initiate that salivary levels of cortisol well correlate with
its blood levels.”
the analytical procedure. They then insert the cartridge
into a reader to obtain results. The process poses no In addition to improving crew health monitoring on the
risk to the operator or the space station environment. space station, the device could be employed to monitor
Since this process relies on capillary forces, it is not astronauts on long-duration missions to Mars, asteroids
affected by microgravity conditions. The device makes or other distant destinations.
sensitive and specific quantitative measurement of Simple modification of the cartridges would make
biomarkers possible by using fluid samples obtained it possible to analyze other biological fluids, such
non-invasively. as blood, plasma and sweat.

“In principal, the cartridge could be used to detect any
biomarker measurable by an immunological method,”
said Roda. “That includes other hormones, peptides,
A miniature analytical device for proteins and even drugs.” Analysis could be expanded
detecting specific biomarkers in to include biomarkers of inflammation, infection, bone
loss, muscle atrophy, cardiovascular disorders and
samples collected non-invasively other physiological changes that astronauts often
has significant potential benefits experience during spaceflight.
on Earth as well. A miniature analytical device for detecting specific
biomarkers in samples collected non-invasively has
significant potential benefits on Earth as well. It can
be employed in any situation where rapid access

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