A Microfluidic Bioreporter System for Space Flight Monitoring

Bruce C. Towe, Rhett L. Martineau, Christopher G. Cooney, Matthew E. Piccini, Patrick Daydif, Valerie Stout

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Metabolic changes of a continuously-fed bacterial microculture are monitored as a potential means of understanding the effects of the space environment on life. A hand-held plastic device supports and monitors the metabolism of a 100 μl microculture of E. coli. Both a semi-permeable microdialysis fiber and a gas-permeable microbore silicone hollow fiber membrane (HFM) are threaded through the microculture. Microliter quantity solutions flow through the lumen of the microdialysis fiber to extract metabolic wastes and to deliver nutrients. A carbon dioxide absorbance-based indicator flows through the lumen of the silicone HFM to supply oxygen, remove carbon dioxide, and monitor carbon dioxide production. Carbon dioxide production, which is tracked as an indicator of metabolic response, is monitored with an optical sensor that has a response time of 15 minutes and a sensitivity of ±0.6 mmHg. We evaluated the device using ultraviolet light as a test stressor for the instrumentation. We were able to detect changes in metabolic activity by varying dialysis feed rate and stressing the cells with UV.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAnnual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings
EditorsR.S. Leder
Pages2991-2994
Number of pages4
Volume4
StatePublished - 2003
EventA New Beginning for Human Health: Proceedings of the 25th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society - Cancun, Mexico
Duration: Sep 17 2003Sep 21 2003

Other

OtherA New Beginning for Human Health: Proceedings of the 25th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
Country/TerritoryMexico
CityCancun
Period9/17/039/21/03

Keywords

  • Bioreporter
  • Biosensor
  • Biosentinel
  • Continuous-culture
  • Microculture
  • Microdialysis
  • Microfluidic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A Microfluidic Bioreporter System for Space Flight Monitoring'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this