Fig. 2: Schematic experiment preparation.

a A quartz capillary is cut to 9 cm in length, and the desired length of molten agarose is loaded. Reservoir capillaries (depicted as blue) are loaded with 2 cm of agarose, and protein capillaries (pink) have varied agarose plug lengths. Concentrated MnSOD solution is pipetted into the capillary from the top that is sealed with molten beeswax. To ensure the capillary is watertight, enamel (fingernail polish) is applied over the end with beeswax. A volume of molten agarose (slug) is added to the GCB, and capillaries are loaded into the GCB (outer dimensions: 10-cm long, 3.5-cm wide, and 0.7-cm deep) as the agarose cools. b The GCB lid is filled with vacuum grease and attached to the GCB. The lid is taped on and labeled with the GCB number, initials of the preparer, and contents. c GCBs are individually heat-sealed into a watertight polypropylene bag before sets of 10 are taped together as a bundle and heat-sealed in a second watertight polypropylene bag. d A completed 10 GCB bundle is then loaded into a Zotek F30 foam box for transport to ISS. Foam boxes were given labels SN001-SN004.