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Wet Lab 2 Testing

Completed TRL 9 (started at 5, targeting 9)

Description

The goal of the WetLab-2 project is to develop instrumentation for use on the International Space Station (ISS) that allows for processing and data collection on orbit, without the need for sample return. Once on orbit, WetLab-2 can be used in a number of different ways. For example, researchers can use it to get information on gene expression changes, or to identify bacteria in water, food, or air samples.
CASIS article on Wetlab-2
Wet Lab Smartcycler (WetLab-2) ISS datasheet

Paper (September 2017): Microgravity validation of a novel system for RNA isolation and multiplex quantitative real time PCR analysis of gene expression on the International Space Station

ASGSR 2014 presentation

Benefits

This biomedical analysis hardware technology for on-orbit bioprocessing (gene expression analysis) will benefit the commercial space industry and future NASA missions.

Details

Technology areaHuman Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems > Environmental Monitoring, Safety, and Emergency Response > Air, Water, Microbial, and Acoustic Sensors
ProgramFlight Opportunities (FO)
Lead organizationAmes Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Start date2013-08-14
End date2016-10-21

Project contacts

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

How to get involved

This is a mature technology (TRL 9) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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.