Ecological Systems

Simple Organisms

Model Organisms

Genomic Studies of Renal Cells in Space

Microbes, Hitchhikers, and Humans: A Crew Health Perspective

Available Hardware

Life Sciences Data Archive

Website

Agency

Earliest Availability

http://www.estec.esa.nl/spaceflight/map/bio/packc.htm

ESA

March/April 2000

Specimens

• cell cultures

Culture System

• Incubator drawer

• maintains temperatures between 20°C and 37°C ± 0.5°C.

• Cooler compartment (+4°C ± 1°C) stores up to 10 Type I

containers

• Freezer compartment (- 15°C ±1°C) stores up to 10 Type 1

• Automated experiments controlled by micro-computer

Centrifuge

• 3 independently driven control centrifuges (0 to 2.0 g in 0.1 g

increments). Diameter = 150 mm

Imaging/video

• None

Sample Preservation:

• No glovebox

• No automated fixation capability

Crew Time:

• Limited

• Incubator drawer accommodates 10 Type I (20x40x83 mm; volume

65 ml)) and 2 Type II (62x62x87mm; volume 345 ml ) containers

which hold culture chambers or specimen housings.

• BioPack Interface Frame --

• BioPack Experiment Insert which will include Incubator drawer

and Type I or Type II containers.

• All containers in the Incubator drawer electrically powered (+5V

DC, -12V DC and +12V DC power lines)

• Powered during launch and re-entry in fully loaded mode

• Shuttle

Website

Agency

Earliest Availability

http://www.estec.esa.nl/spaceflight/map/bio/mfc/

ESA

2002

Specimens

• cell cultures

• micro-organisms

• small plants and small invertebrates

Culture System

• Incubator with temperature, illumination, gas, humidity control.

• Temperature range 18-40°C ± 0.5°C.

• 6 Experiment Containers (60x60x100 mm; 0.36 L vol.) to

accommodate experiment specific hardware

• automatic or manual sampling

Centrifuge

• 2 identical centrifuges (diameter = 600 mm) located vertically in

the Incubator (0.001xg - 2xg adjustable in 40 steps with accuracy of

± 5%.

Imaging/video:

• Illumination (visible or near-infrared range)

• Video systems (40x40mm field of view; 0.2 mm

resolution, NTSC format) on rotors to view 4 of 6 experiment

containers.

• Microscope (4 objectives up to 40x in bright field, dark field and

phase contrast) for automatic inflight diagnostics of liquid samples.

• Spectrophotometer measurements (220-900 nm)

• Remote manual control (telescience): laptop computer and video

display for control and change in experiment protocol.

Sample Preservation:

• Manual Fixation in Bio-Glovebox

• Bottom plate of Experiment Container can be customised to inject

fixative for experiment termination.

• 2 automatic temperature controlled stowage (ATCS) with temp.

range -20°C to + 10°C for small samples (89 vials of 2m volume);

Crew Time:

• Experiment specific: may include manual operations for experiment

control and storage of biological samples and sample manipulation.

• Possible video tape exchange by crew

• 6 Experiment Containers (60x60x100 mm; 0.36 L vol.) to

accommodate experiment specific hardware

• Experiment Container is 60x60x100 mm (360 ml volume)

• Experiment Container equipped with power/data connector, serial

interface for data and command transfer

• ISS in ESA’s Columbus module

• will be integrated into one International Standard Payload Rack.

Website

Agency

Availability

http:// www.spacebiol.ethz.ch/research/

ESA

Currently available

Specimens

• Yeast cell cultures

Culture System

• Bioreactor with sampling capability, pH control, gas exchange,

continuous fresh medium supply via minipump and stirring

mechanism.

• Fits into Type II/E container (volume 365 ml; size 87x63x62 mm)

which fit into Biopack.

Imaging/Video

• Cultivation chambers can be viewed macroscopically through

inspection window.

• no video

Sample Preservation:

• Samples (1 ml) can be manually drawn through silicone rubber

septa and preserved via manual fixation (requires glovebox) or by

freezing(requires freezer).

Crew Time:

• Crew required for sampling, manipulation of samples and daily

monitoring of pH and temperature.

• Bioreactor volume is 1 liter. Sample sizes of 1 ml taken.

• Has volume of 1 liter.

• Total height 8 cm.

• Fits into Type II container (87x63x62 mm)

• Micropump (2x2 cm) for delivery of medium

• Shuttle/Spacelab

• Type II containers fit into Bio

• Flew in 1994 and 1996 aboard the Shuttle missions STS-65 and

STS-76.

• May require support hardware: freezer, glovebox, Biopack

Website

Agency

Availability

http://life1.tksc.nasda.go.jp/life/HW_Menue.html

NASDA

Currently available

Specimens

• cell cultures, microorganisms, small plants

Culture System

• 2 Incubator units - 1g and microgravity

• Controls: temperature range 15 - 40°C, humidity

80% ± 10% RH, CO2 (0 - 10%)

• Control equipment that communicates with the JEM

pressurized module

• Canisters (large, medium, small) for 1 g canister rack

and large, medium, small for microgravity rack

• Culture chambers stored in Canisters

Centrifuge

• Variable g control, 0.1 - 2.0 G

Imaging/Video

• Video output (NTSC)

• Uplink command

• The operation chamber in Clean Bench contains a phase-contrast

microscope that is also used as a fluorescence microscope and a

CCD camera for inspection. Observed images can be transferred

to image processing unit for recording and downlinking

Sample Preservation:

• No automatic function

• Would require removal of canisters to Clean Bench

• Clean Bench consists of operation chamber, disinfection chamber,

and a control unit to communicate with JEM system

Crew Time:

• Experiment specific

• 2 large canisters or 6 medium canisters can be installed in micro-

gravity block

• 2 large canisters or 4 medium canisters can be installed in artificial

gravity block

• +5V, +12V, + 15V DC

• Digital input 1 ch

• Analog output 1 ch (0 - 5V)

• Video output 1 ch (NTSC)

• Communication I/F RS485

• JEM pressurized module

• Has flown on Shuttle flights

Website

Agency

Availability

http://www.spacebio.com

NASA / Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Currently available

Specimens

• Animal and plant cells, tissue explants, embryos, gametes, small

marine specimens

Culture System

• Automated bioreactor-based system

• Various models: CCM-A which has 4 discrete experiment zones

with 37°C thermal control. CCM-C offers 3 experiment zones with

a cooling chamber (4°C). STL-B is a video-microscope module.

• Active CO2 and O2 gassing, media collection, delivery of reagents.

• Preprogrammed for injection, fraction collections and media

replacement

• Sterile, closed systems

Centrifuge

• None

Imaging/Video

• CCM has no imaging capability

• STL-B, has live video telemetry, high resolution digital microscope (100-1000X), optical biochamber with temperature control (4-40°C), variable lighting intensities, continuous data recording and digital image storage

Sample Preservation:

• Can be programmed to execute fixative injection

Crew Time:

• Minimal

• 4 bioreactors

• 19 x 17 x 9" (middeck locker size)

• 8 Amps peak, 28 Volts, 85 Watts typical

• Space Shuttle

• Can be configured for Express Rack on ISS

• CCM has flown on 9 space shuttle missions

Website

Agency

Availability

http://pyroeis.arc.nasa.gov/SSBRP/habitat.html

NASA

2001

Specimens

• Animal, microbial and plant suspension cultures, attachment cultures, tissue cultures less than 4 mm and non-feeding aquatic specimens.

Culture System

• Cell specimen chamber tray

• Temperature control (4-39°C) with heat shock capability to 45°C

• Continuous perfusion of media; pH of media monitored

Centrifuge

• Artificial gravity up to 2-g

Imaging/Video

• Video

Sample Preservation:

• Fixatives can be introduced into the cultures

• Sampling module allows collection of samples

Crew Time:

• Experiment specific

• CCU can support up to 24 (2-3 ml) cultures, 16 (7-10 ml) cultures,

or 8 (30 ml) cultures.

• approx. 20.75"H x 17.62" W x 24.0" D

• < 245 W @ 28 VDC

• ISS

• Shuttle Middeck

Website

Agency

Availability

http://www.Colorado.EDU/engineering/BioServe and

http://spacehab.com/miclsrpf/cgba.htm

NASA/ Space Product Development, BioServe Space Technologies,

Center for Space Commercialization

currently available

Specimens

• small invertebrates, plants, microorganisms, mammalian cells, viruses, biomaterials, protein crystal growth

Culture System

• 2 models: GBA-INC and GBA-ICM

• GBA-INC is a middeck locker equivalent providing stowage for 9 Group Activation Packs (GAP) which holds 72 Fluids Processing Apparatus (FPAs) to contain the experimental fluids. Uniform temperature (37°C). Optical density monitoring capability (565nm) allows inflight collection of high resolution reaction rate data.

• GBA-ICM is middeck locker equivalent. 8 GAPs (64 FPAs)with individual temperature control (4-37°C). Accelerometer-based system initiates expt. in orbit and automatic program can determine termination. Additional sample containment hardware is now available for larger volume samples requiring gas nutrient exchange

Centrifuge

• None

Imaging/Video

• GBA-ICM has light source and video imaging capability

Sample Preservation:

• H/W has been routinely used for automatic inflight fixation

Crew Time:

• Minimal

• FPA consists of a glass barrel (1.35 cm id x 11.7 cm); total liquid

volume of 6.5 ml.

• New, recently flown sample containers can hold up to 50 mls of

volume with large surface area for gas exchange

• Middeck locker

• 28 VDC; 5 W (auto-GAP motor)

• ICM requires from 50 W up to 140 W of power tomaintain sample

temperature control

• Space Shuttle

• H/W is being qualified for flight on ISS (mission 6A currently

scheduled for April 2000)

• Has flown on 10 shuttle flights and 2 MIR increments

Website

Agency

Availability

http://spaceprojects.arc.nasa.gov/Space_Projects/SSBRP/index.html

NASA

2002

Specimens

• Cell cultures, invertebrate animals, plant

Culture System

• Incubator with controlled temperature: set points in range of 4°C -

45°C, selectable in 1°C increments

• Thermal control settings can be issued from ground or

preprogrammed

• Humidity not actively regulated; dependent upon ambient RH (25-

70%)

Imaging/Video

Sample Preservation:

• Requires glovebox or freezer and storage facility

Crew Time:

• Experiment specific

• Internal volume = 6.79" height x 10.18" width x 16.50 " depth

(o.65 cu. ft = 18.7 L)

• Front panel is approx. 13" height x 19 " width

•Power available inside incubator from two 60W, 28 VDC power connectors

• ISS Habitat Holding Rack and the SDBRP Transportation Rack

Website

Agency

Availability

http://www.estec.esa.int/spaceflight/map/bio/mcsc.htm

ESA

2002

Specimens

• Although primarily designed for plants, insects or amphibia, studies with cells and tissue cultures are foreseen in MCS

Culture System

• Similar to BIOLAB (differences in centrifuge configuration,

humidity control

• Incubator with temperature range +15°C and +40°C

• Controlled gas, pressure and humidity (at level of Experiment

Container)

• 4 Experiment Containers

Centrifuge

• 2 centrifuges equipped with interfaces to 4 Experiment Containers

• centrifuge diameter 600 mm; radial acceleration 0.1 -2 g

Imaging/Video

• EC walls are transparent for illumination and observations

• 2 movable video cameras

• frame grabber for downlink and remote analysis of expt. details

accessible by zoom video camera

• Infrared diodes used for "dark" observation

• 4 tilting mirrors for observation of internal container volume

Sample Preservation:

• No automatic capability for freezing or fixing specimens

• Requires access to glovebox or freezer/coolers

Crew Time:

• Experiment specific

• Experiment container has internal volume of 0.58 L are 60 x 60

x 160 mm.

• MCS covers a volume of 2 middeck lockers

• Electrical interfaces = 12 or 5VDC

• Command and housekeeping data lines

• ISS Express Rack

Web Site

Agency

Availability

Specimens

Culture System

Imaging/video

Centrifuge

Sample Preservation:

Crew Time:

Website

Agency

Availability

http:// www.mainsgate.com/hw_db/

DARA

currently available

Specimens

• Unicellular organisms, fungi, plant and animal cells

System

• Nizemi is a SpaceLab facility for microscopic and macroscopic

investigations on specimens at accelerations (inflight) from 0.001 to

1.5 g

• Magnification (2.5x to 40x; oil immersion possible) + contrast

methods (darkfield, brightfield, phase contrast, polarisation,

differential interference contrast)

• Observations with video head (3 lux minimum illumination level)

• Micro-chamber temperature Control = 18°C to 37°C

• All functions remotely controlled

• Samples must be stored in micro-chambers in another onboard

facility

Imaging/Video

• Image of organisms ar recorded on-line by CCD camera

• Cuvettes can be viewed microscopically (2.5x to 32x)

• Entire cuvette can be viewed by crew macroscopically

• Microscopic video from center 1cm collected from center of cuvette

• Entire cuvette can be videoed (macro)

Sample Preservation:

• Fixation

• Freezing

Crew Time:

• Required for sample exchange and optical adjustments

• 2 cuvettes

• 240W peak, 142W mean

• Space Shuttle Spacelab

Website

Agency

Availability

http://lifesci.arc.nasa.gov

NASA

currently available

System

• Supports life sciences experiments requiring examination,

dissection, image recording of tissues and other specimens

Imaging/Video

• Zeiss Stereomicroscope, Model SV 8

• Variable zoom of 8 - 64x magnification

• Video Camera

• Video Interface Unit (VIU); real time video can be downlinked

• Dissecting Microscope Lighting System

• Powered by Spacelab 115 volts AC, 400 Hz, 3-phase power

• Includes redundant fan cooling system, prime and backup 160W

halogen lamps, protective inlet/outlet screens

• Spacelab

• Microscope and ancillary equipment are deployed in the General

Purpose Work Station (GPWS)

Website

Agency

Availability

http://pyroeis.arc.nasa.gov/SSBRP/LSE.html

NASA

2002

Specimens

• Cellular and subcellular observations

• Fresh, live, fixed and stained sample observations

Imaging

• Differential interference contrast (DIC), phase contrast,

fluorescence, brightfield and darkfield mocroscopy

• 40x to 1000x magnification

• 50W Halogen lighting provides variable white, filtered or polarized

illumination from underneath the slide.

• Overhead Mercury (100 W) or Xenon lighting illuminates slide with

specific visible and UV spectral components

• 35 mm still photo microscopy

Video

• Uses a dedicated high resolution video camera system

• Video Subsystem captures color image of specimen (CCD color

video camera)

• Uses video monitor in back of Life Science and Microgravity

Sciences glovebox work volume for video direct viewing

Crew Time:

• Experiment specific

• Slides

• 49.03 lbs (22.4 kg)

• runs on 28 V dc and 120 V dc outlets

• power allocation to microscope limited to 210 W

• 280 Watts (worst case) maximum power consumption @24Vdc

• ISS

• Stowed in 1-2/3 12Panel Unit (PU) Stowage Drawers

• Microscope is intended for use in the Life Science and Microgravity

Sciences Glovebox on the ISS

Website

Agency

Availability

http://pyroeis.arc.nasa.gov/SSBRP/LSE.html

NASA

2002

Specimens

• Used to inspect, dissect and prepare biological samples at low (4x)

to moderate (120x) magnification

Imaging

• Commercial Leica stereo microscope with extensive electrical

modifications

• 4X to 120X zoom magnification; large depth of field

•150W Halogen lighting provides variable white light illumination of

specimen; has heat absorption filter

• Fiber Optics has 4 possible illumination positions; low specimen

heating

Video

• Dedicated video camera system; uses video monitor in back of Life

Sciences Glovebox for video direct viewing

• Video subsystem captures a color image of the specimen

• Toshiba 0.5" diameter CCD color video camera

• Video electronics processes video images and controls camera

Crew Time:

• Experiment specific

• Slides

• 54.31 lbs (24.64 kg)

• Stowed in 3X12 P.U. drawers

• 28 V DC

• Dimmer has range of 5 to 150 Watts

• 210 Watts (worst case) maximum power consumption @24Vdc

• Flight video monitor is integral part of Glovebox

• Microscope is intended for use in the work volume of the Life

Science and Microgravity Sciences Glovebox on the ISS

Website

Agency

Availability

http://pyroeis.arc.nasa.gov/SSBRP/LSE.html

NASA

VIDEO CAMERA

• Provides color and black/white Charged Coupled Device (CCD)

video

• Black and white video resolution of at least 1320 x 1035 pixel array;

color resolution of at least 768 x 493 pixel array

• Zoom capabilities from 1:1 to 9:1

• Automatic and manual focus; date/time recorded on tape

• Accessories include: lens sets (including C-mount), filters

(polarizing, u.v., infrared, neutral density), microscope/macroscope

mounting provisions, flood illumination

• Frame grabbing capability at 30 frames/sec

• Will interface with work volume of glovebox, host command/data

system, internal audio video system, camera locker, dissecting

macroscope and compound microscope, 120 Vdc power

STILL CAMERA

• 35 mm Film Format Camera with interchangeable lenses to

accommodate wide angle and telephoto viewing

• flash illumination, interchangeable viewing systems

• shutter speed from 1/1000 to 1.0 second; timer with delay

• close viewing to 5 cm from lens

• up to 30 photographs in one minute

• operate hand-held or from support equipment; remote electrically

-operated shutter release

• Accessories include: flash, filters (polarizing, u.v., infrared, neutral

density), microscope/macroscope mounting provisions

• Will interface with work volume of glovebox, dissecting

macroscope and compount microscope

Website

Agency

Availability

http://pyroeis.arc.nasa.gov/SSBRP/LSE.html

NASA

currently available

Specimens

• cells, plants

System

• Consists of 2 Flasks, one contained within the other

• Freezer temperature range -195°C to -185°C

• Freezer holding time is 8 days minimum

• Freezer has no controls; rotating neck plug can be removed to allow

insertion or removal of samples

• Cryogenic Freezer Bag insulates the Freezer

Crew Time:

• Crew required to transfer specimens into freezer

• Cryogenic Gloves must be used to protect the crew

• Inside diameter capacity is 8.9 cm, length is 34 cm. Volume 2.1 x

10^-3 m³

• Weight: 13.5 kg

• Freezer fits into standard middeck locker

• External volume: 2.32 x 10^-2 m³

• No power, freezer uses gaseous nitrogen as cryogen

• Space Shuttle middeck locker

Website

Agency

Availability

http://pyroeis.arc.nasa.gov/SSBRP/LSE.html

NASA

2004

Specimens

• Small animal and plant specimens of 1 mm or less in thickness

• Medium sized contained samples

System

• Ultrarapid freezing (no ice crystal damage) down to -196°C:

(2ml saline solution sample reduced from 23°C to below -183°C in

not greater than 10 minutes

• Provided with 700 specimen storage containers with 2 ml capacity

and 300 specimen storage containers with 5 ml capacity

• Provides transportation between Glovebox and Cryo Storage

Freezer

Crew Time:

• Crew interaction essential for sample preparation/freezing and

transfer to storage freezer

• Freezer will accommodate up to (20) 2m cryo vials or (10) 5 ml

cryo vials

•

• 28VDC, 130 W

• ISS Glovebox

Website

Agency

Availability

http://pyroeis.arc.nasa.gov/SSBRP/LSE.html

NASA

2004

Specimens

• Samples for cell ultrastructure and molecular biology research, live

cell culture preservation required for later revival (eg yeast) and

samples to study signal transduction with calcium ions in plant and

animals cells

• Medium sized ( 2ml and 5 ml) contained samples

System

• The -196°C Storage Freezer provides on-orbit storage of frozen

specimens; will have access for storage and retrieval

• Maintains temperatures of specimens and samples at below -183°C

from initial freezing to user final access

• Provides capability to record temperature data at 15-min intervals. If

temperature limits are exceeded, recording will begin at 1-min

intervals

• Accommodates 2ml and 5 ml cryo vials and cryo stubs

Crew Time:

• Crew interaction essential for sample preparation/freezing and

transfer to storage freezer

• Will provide on-orbit storage of frozen samples

• Internal storage volume = 0.02m³

• 28VDC, 130 W

• 8 hour maintenance of temperature below -183°C without power

• ISS

Website

Agency

Availability

http://pyroeis.arc.nasa.gov/SSBRP/LSE.html

NASA

2004

Specimens

• Experiment specimens, samples, and supplies can be preserved in

the -80°C freezer until they can be used on-orbit or analyzed on the

ground

• Temperature below -68°C will be maintained during all operations

including orbiter ascent, descent, transfer to/from cargo bay and

to/from ISSA

• Adjustable and removable racks and shelves for sample storage

• Temperature recorded at 15 min interval or 1-min interval if

temperature limit is exceeded

System

• Low temperature storage facility

Crew Time:

• Crew interaction required for transfer of samples

• Variable

• Volume of 0.3m³

•

• ISS

Website

Agency

Availability

http://pyroeis.arc.nasa.gov/SSBRP/LSE.html

NASA

Specimens

• Experiment specimens, samples, and supplies can be preserved in

the -20°C freezer until they can be used on-orbit or analyzed on the

ground

System

• Low temperature storage facility

• Temperature below -20°C will be maintained during all operations

including orbiter ascent, descent, transfer to/from cargo bay and

to/from ISSA

• Capable of freezing a 100 ml sample of biological saline solution

within 60 minutes from an initial sample temperature of 23°C

• Adjustable and removable racks and shelves for sample storage

• Temperature recorded at 15 min interval or 1-min interval if

temperature limit is exceeded

• Volume of 0.23m³ (8 cu. ft)

• Compatible with ISS

Website

Agency

Availability

http://pyroeis.arc.nasa.gov/SSBRP/LSE.html

NASA

System

• Low temperature storage freezer used to preserve experiment

specimens and supplies

• Volume of 0.57m³ (20 ft³)

• Refrigerator temperature maintained at 4.0°C ± 2°C

• Adjustable and removable racks and shelves for sample storage

• Temperature recorded at 15 min interval or 1-min interval if

temperature limit is exceeded

• Compatible with ISS

Website

Agency

Availability

http://lifesci.arc.nasa.gov

NASA

currently available

System

• Fully enclosed workspace for performing inflight life science

experiment procedures requiring containment

• Total volume equivalent to 2 Shuttle middeck lockers

• A toxic chemical vapor-scrubbing system is provided for operations

involving use of hazardous chemicals

• Compatible with Shuttle Middeck, Spacelab, Spacehab, ISS

• Operates on 28 VDC; has nominal power consumption of 125 W

• Secondary power of 24 VDC provided inside SIGB workplace

• Radial fans control air recirculation and bleed air system

• High and low lighting settings

• Connectors for video and data

• HEPA filter contains particulate matter greater than 300 microns dia.

Website

Agency

Availability

http://pyroeis.arc.nasa.gov/SSBRP/LSE.html

NASA

2001

System

• Provides enclosed environment in which manipulations of the

specimen chambers, specimens, materials and science equipment

can be conducted

• Work volume greater than 0.5 m^3:: height 26" x width 36" x depth

24"

• Minimum of 0.2 m² of contiguous flat work surface area (15" x

15")

• Will provide minimum of 4 gloveports (0.25 m = 10 in diameter)

capable of being outfitted with gauntlets

• Capability for direct or video visual access to the specimens will be

provided at all times

• Vacuum cleaning system

Alcohols

Fixatives

Salt Solutions

Other

Ethanol

5% Formalin

2% KMn04

aqueous solutions of pH 3.5 to 8.5, stains and dyes, culture media and sera

Methanol

1% Glutaraldehyde

10mM imidazole-HCl

4% Glutaraldehyde

agarose, sucrose, dextrose

10mM imidazole-HCl

Omnifix, as packaged

agar

Histochoice, as packaged

paraffin

Fixative mixture:

- 10% sulfuric acid

guanidium isothiocyanate (GITC)

Acetone

Fixative mixture:

- 0.2 % glutaraldehyde in

PIPES with MgS04

and EDTA

Neutral red,

crystal violet,

trypan blue,

orcein dye

Fixative mixture:

glycerol

Fixative mixture:

trypsin, pronase, collagenase

Fixative mixture: