Scientists have used the gadget to trigger and watch the growth of a bacteria called Sporosarcina pasteurii over multiple days with minimal human interaction, according to a study published in the study, Acta Astronautica.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), together developed a modular, self-contained apparatus for cultivating microorganisms has been developed. This gadget could allow scientists to conduct biological experiments in outer space.
Scientists have used the gadget to trigger and watch the growth of a bacteria called Sporosarcina pasteurii over multiple days with minimal human interaction, according to a study published in the study, Acta Astronautica.
It was declared in the press release that, “Understanding how such microbes behave in extreme environments could provide valuable insight for human space missions such as ‘Gaganyaan’, India’s first crewed spacecraft set to be launched in 2022.”
Led-based photodiode sensors used in the new gadget, track bacterial growth by sensing light scattering or the optical density, similar to spectrophotometers used in laboratories.
Additionally, it features separate sections for various experiments. According to IISc, each compartment, or ‘cassette,’ has a chamber in which bacteria and a nutrient media can be combined remotely to initiate growth.
Koushik Viswanathan, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering at 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.”
