For the first time ever, astronomers made history by conducting an experiment where they have used gene-editing technology to edit a DNA and that too in space.

Astronomers aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have used CRISPR-Cas9 technology in order to edit the DNA of brewer’s yeast up in space. Aiming to study how DNA repairs itself after damage incurred through cosmic radiation, the team snipped through the strands of the fungus’ genetic code in a number of places to replicate radiation damage.

“The damage actually happens on the space station and the analysis also happens in space,” said Emily Gleason of miniPCR Bio, the firm that designed the DNA lab aboard the ISS. “We want to understand if DNA repair methods are different in space than on Earth.”

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The crew employed the power of the gene-editing technology, CRISPR-Cas9, which allows scientists slice into DNA with the equivalent of a molecular scalpel. They then used miniPCR machine to make copies of the DNA and the minION sequencing technology on the ISS to read the DNA, as per ISS National Lab.

The results provided information on changes in the molecular structure of the yeast genome because of the damage imposed by CRISPR, and also any genetic errors introduced as the DNA attempted to repair the damage itself.

The results from this study can lead to improved radiation protection for astronauts during long-term spaceflight missions, which would expose astronauts to the harsh environment of space. The achievement of carrying out the entire experiment up in space has set up a stage for future DNA experiments to be conducted aboard ISS to expand understand of genetics in space.

“One thing the investigation will tell us is yes, we can do these things in space,” Gleason said. “Ultimately, we can use this knowledge to help protect astronauts from DNA damage caused by cosmic radiation on long voyages and to enable genome editing in space.”