Biology:

Crew Training: The crew was introduced to sterile microbial laboratory techniques. Topics covered include media preparation, autoclaving instruments, pouring plates, sterile inoculations and streaking to obtain single cell colonies.

Danielle pours an agar plate using sterile techniques

The crew plated the samples obtained in the field on EVA 2 (15 Feb 06) and took further samples from interesting places around the Hab. Sample locations included: the shower floor, the toilet, the floor in the kitchen area, André's chin wound, the dish sponge, Ryan's water bottle, the common weights, a variety of shoes and several other locations. Samples were plated on LB agar and incubated at 37ºC.

Halophiles: The samples from saline environments collected on EVA 2 (OB01-04) were plated on LB agar with 15% NaCl. They are currently being incubated at 37ºC and will be observed periodically. Further field work was precluded by the arrival of a dust storm which caused all EVAs to be postponed.

What diabolical microbes are lurking in the Hab? We'll find out!

---

Geology:

The crew learned about the coupling of satellite imaging and digital elevation data to develop detailed regional geology maps and the importance of 'ground truthing' the proposed lithography to confirm the predictions.