IISc, Isro develop device for bio experiments in space

Bengaluru: In order to understand how microbes behave in extreme environments, a team of researchers from the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has developed a modular, self-contained device to cultivate microorganisms, which could enable scientists to carry out 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 called Sporosarcina pasteurii over several days, with minimal human involvement.

“Understanding how such microbes behave in extreme environments could provide valuable insights for human space missions such as ‘Gaganyaan,’ India’s first crewed spacecraft set to be launched in 2022,” IISc said in a statement shared with TOI.

Pointing out that in recent years, scientists have been increasingly exploring the use of lab-on-chip platforms — which combine many analyses into a single integrated chip — for such experiments, IISc said there are additional challenges to designing such platforms for outer space, when compared to the lab.

Koushik Viswanathan, assistant professor, department of mechanical engineering, IISc, and senior author of the study, said: “It has to be completely self-contained. Besides, you can’t expect the same operating conditions as you would in a normal laboratory setting… and you can’t have something that guzzles 500W, for example.”

The new device 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 lab.

It also has separate compartments for different experiments. IISc said each compartment or ‘cassette’ consists of a chamber where bacteria and a nutrient medium can be mixed to kickstart growth, by flicking on a switch remotely.