µ2 Lab: Microfluidic Microbiology Lab

Completed TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 4)

Description

Microbial monitoring during spaceflight is crucial to maintain crew health and ensure water purifications systems are functioning properly. Current protocols for in-flight enumeration of bacteria in potable water systems require culture based-methods. In this project, we aim to develop a flight- and microgravity-compatible flow cytometer capable of counting total microbial counts in the water supply and differentiating live from dead bacteria. Microbial monitoring during spaceflight is crucial to maintain crew health and ensure water purifications systems are functioning properly. Current protocols for in-flight enumeration of bacteria in potable water systems require culture based-methods. In this project, we aim to develop a flight- and microgravity-compatible flow cytometer capable of counting total microbial counts in the water supply and differentiating live from dead bacteria.

Benefits

If successful, the microflow cytometer could replace the current cell-culturing based methods for in-flight enumeration of viable bacteria in the potable water supply aboard ISS and spaceflight beyond LEO. In addition, the device offers dual-use potential for monitoring changes in immune system response by white blood cell counts. These measurements could both be made with a single, small, low-power device. Spaceflight beyond LEO will require small, low power technology to perform critical tasks. The proposed device offers dual-use potential for microbial monitoring and human health studies. The capabilities of the proposed device, counting viable bacteria in potable water and analyzing white blood cells, are important for public health uses (water quality) and medical diagnostics in the field and remote areas. These uses would be of benefit to the CDC, NIH, and DoD. As the commercial space industry gears up for manned flights to the ISS and beyond, there will be a need for environmental monitoring that the proposed technology addresses. The drivers for making a device space-flight compatible, namely reducing mass, volume and power requirements, ruggedization of devices, and making devices easy to use, are often the same requirements for equipment to be used in the field and in remote locations. The proposed technology will improve access to flow cytometers for public health and medical use in the U.S.

Details

Program	Center Innovation Fund: JSC CIF (JSC CIF)
Lead organization	Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Start date	2014-11-01
End date	2015-10-01

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Aaron S Burton — aaron.burton@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.