BENGALURU: To understand how microorganisms behave in extreme environments, a team of researchers Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) And Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has developed a modular, self-contained tool for cultivating microorganisms that could enable scientists to conduct biological experiments in outer space.
In a study published in Acta Astronautica, the team has shown how the device can be used to activate and track the growth of a bacterium. sporosarcine Pasteury for several days, with minimal human involvement.
“Understanding how such microorganisms behave in extreme environments could provide valuable insights for human space missions such as ‘gagakonan“India’s first crewed spacecraft to be launched in 2022,” IISc said in a statement shared with TOI.
Pointing out that in recent years, scientists are increasingly exploring the use of lab-on-chip platforms – which combine multiple analyzes into a single integrated chip – for such experiments, the IISc said. There are additional challenges to designing such platforms. When compared to the laboratory.
Kaushik Viswanathan, an assistant professor in IISc’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and senior author of the study, said: “It has to be completely self-sustaining. Furthermore, you cannot expect similar operating conditions in a typical laboratory setting … and you have It may not be something that affects 500W, for example.”
The new instrument uses an LED and photodiode sensor combination to track bacterial growth by measuring the optical density or scattering of light, similar to spectrophotometers used in the laboratory.
It also has separate compartments for different uses. IISc said that each compartment or ‘cassette’ contains a chamber where bacteria and nutrient medium can be mixed to kickstart growth by remotely flicking a switch.
In a study published in Acta Astronautica, the team has shown how the device can be used to activate and track the growth of a bacterium. sporosarcine Pasteury for several days, with minimal human involvement.
“Understanding how such microorganisms behave in extreme environments could provide valuable insights for human space missions such as ‘gagakonan“India’s first crewed spacecraft to be launched in 2022,” IISc said in a statement shared with TOI.
Pointing out that in recent years, scientists are increasingly exploring the use of lab-on-chip platforms – which combine multiple analyzes into a single integrated chip – for such experiments, the IISc said. There are additional challenges to designing such platforms. When compared to the laboratory.
Kaushik Viswanathan, an assistant professor in IISc’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and senior author of the study, said: “It has to be completely self-sustaining. Furthermore, you cannot expect similar operating conditions in a typical laboratory setting … and you have It may not be something that affects 500W, for example.”
The new instrument uses an LED and photodiode sensor combination to track bacterial growth by measuring the optical density or scattering of light, similar to spectrophotometers used in the laboratory.
It also has separate compartments for different uses. IISc said that each compartment or ‘cassette’ contains a chamber where bacteria and nutrient medium can be mixed to kickstart growth by remotely flicking a switch.
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