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MEETING NEWS Laura Ruth reports from
IBC’s Chips to Hits Meeting—Boston, Mass.
Chips in space
KJELL OVE STORVIK, AMASE
fined as macrofluidic. Using microfluidics, the researchers expect Protein microarrays could to reduce the necessary one day be used to help sample size to as low as monitor the health of as200 nL. As part of the tronauts in space. A team feasibility testing, they of scientists from the U.S. have obtained LAL assay National Aeronautics and results on microfluidic Space Administration devices, such as the (NASA), led by Lisa MoCaliper Life Sciences naco, the project scientist 42 Applications Develfor NASA’s Marshall Space opment unit. The reFlight Center’s Lab-on-asults are comparable to Chip Applications Develthose of the Endosafe opment project, is collabcartridge. “We originally orating with university, got hooked on microindustry, and private refluidics ~4 1 ⁄ 2 years ago search organizations to develop space diagnostic Protein microarray experiments conducted in the Arctic are the first step toward when we were tasked devices to monitor the envi- using the technology in extreme environments such as those found on Mars. with trying to provide ronment, human health, state-of-the-art hardtive results,” says Monaco. Future Svaland extraterrestrial life. ware for performing crystal growth on bard expeditions are planned over the According to Monaco, the use of the International Space Station,” says next three years to fully characterize the protein microarrays in extreme environMonaco. She further explains that the geology and biology of the area and to ments was recently tested as part of the lab-on-a-chip format was preferred for further understand the only known terModular Assays for Solar System Explofluid handling for several reasons, inrestrial analogue of Martian meteorites. ration (MASSE) project, which is headcluding reduced sample volumes, ease ed by Andrew Steele of the Carnegie In- The researchers would also like to refine of automation, and, most important, the testing strategy, technology, and restitution of Washington. In September, the ability to mix solutions in space at mote-operation logistics. Such studies Steele and colleagues used their homethe time of the experiment rather than could aid in the design of small, robust, printed 10 10 mm protein microarahead of time on earth. portable instruments for space explorays, which contained 200 antibody and Monaco says the next steps in the ration. Monaco adds, “We are also excitcapture protein targets, to screen microdevelopment of a microfluidic device ed about partnering with the Carnegie bial biomarkers during the Arctic Mars include putting the LAL assay into a Analogue Svalbard Expedition (AMASE) Institution because they have insight portable microfluidic format, developinto some of the human physiological in Norway. The researchers extracted ing more types of tests, and expanding changes that occur during extended biomarkers from microbe samples living the number of tests and sample types spaceflight.” on/in several basalt and carbonate geothat can be run simultaneously. The adAt the same time that the MASSE logical features, including glacial ice, hot ditional types of assays include detecproject team is developing protein misprings, and volcanoes. tion of microorganisms, such as Gramcroarrays for space, Monaco, NASA The initial results from the Arctic positive bacteria, yeast, and mold, and colleagues, and researchers at the protein microarray field testing correlate ATP quantification. Flight-testing the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute with those from more standard sample unit on the space station to overcome and Charles River Laboratories are testing techniques, including PCR, the microgravity effects and any other space modifying the commercially available colorimetric enzymatic Endosafe limulus environmental issues will also be done. handheld Endosafe unit as a microfluamoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, ATP “Ultimately, our goal is to use such a idic device for use in space. Currently, testing, and laser Raman and direct-UV device for rapid microbial monitoring the Endosafe testing cartridge has a 1.2- of air, water, and surfaces to ensure a spectroscopies. “It is significant that the mm sample cell and requires 15–25 µL researchers were able to maintain sterile healthy environment for space exploof sample; any sample cell >1 mm is deconditions in the field and obtain posiration,” concludes Monaco. 428 A
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