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Zero-Gravity Sequencing
09/27/2011
Casey McDonald
By falling 10,000 feet over the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana Tech researchers are testing their handheld DNA analysis device at zero gravity.
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During parabolic flights over the Gulf of Mexico last week, Louisiana Tech University researchers tested the zero-gravity applications of their handheld DNA analysis device.
Launched from Ellington Field at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, these parabolic flights provided assistant professor Niel Crews and graduate student Collin Tranter with near zero-gravity conditions to test their device.
The low power, handheld PCR DNA melting analysis device was designed to analyze DNA damage resulting from radiation. Because astronauts can be exposed to high levels of radiation in space, NASA hopes to incorporate such DNA analysis instruments on future missions to Mars or the moon to monitor the astronaut health.
Niel Crews and the Louisiana Tech research team collect data on the vomit comet. Source: Louisiana Tech University
“There’s a big gaping hole in NASA’s capability for doing DNA or genome biology in space,” said Crews.
To achieve these zero-gravity conditions, the plane, charmingly nicknamed “Vomit Comet” by NASA astronauts, drops 10,000 ft. in 20 seconds. To focus on their research, Crews and Tranter minimized their own motion sickness by taking prescribed medicine and limiting their acrobatic moments in the weightless environment.
“I’ve developed, over the last few days, a passionate love for the drug scopolamine,” said Crews.
Over four days of flights, Crews’ goal is to validate the device’s temperature control in zero gravity. Since heat rises in gravity, temperature-driven processes such as PCR could behave very differently in zero-gravity environment of space. This behavior change could affect the analysis, producing inaccurate results.
Furthermore, the analysis device had to be compact, light, and low-powered for space travel. At the same time, it also had to be rugged and resilient to function in unpredictable conditions.
Beyond monitoring astronaut health, the device could also aid researchers in the search for extraterrestrial life. By finding and analyzing DNA from another part of the universe, researchers will better understand the origins of life on earth since primordial conditions cannot be reproduced on Earth.
Also, the handheld device could have earthbound application in medical diagnostics applications for first responders where stability of the temperature control is important. EMTs could carry the DNA analysis device in extreme conditions such as high temperatures and high humidity.
Meanwhile, Crews is now preparing to test his device in actual space. Since the grounding of the NASA space shuttle program, Crews is looking at alternative launch platforms. Because commercial satellites often require extra weight to balance their equipment, Crews is planning to get his device a free lift into space as a nanosatellite ballast for a private-sector satellite.
09/27/2011
Casey McDonald
By falling 10,000 feet over the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana Tech researchers are testing their handheld DNA analysis device at zero gravity.
Bookmark and Share
During parabolic flights over the Gulf of Mexico last week, Louisiana Tech University researchers tested the zero-gravity applications of their handheld DNA analysis device.
Launched from Ellington Field at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, these parabolic flights provided assistant professor Niel Crews and graduate student Collin Tranter with near zero-gravity conditions to test their device.
The low power, handheld PCR DNA melting analysis device was designed to analyze DNA damage resulting from radiation. Because astronauts can be exposed to high levels of radiation in space, NASA hopes to incorporate such DNA analysis instruments on future missions to Mars or the moon to monitor the astronaut health.
Niel Crews and the Louisiana Tech research team collect data on the vomit comet. Source: Louisiana Tech University
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| i actually know neil, and his wife, and his family, very good friends with his sisters and brother. we went to church together, yup. hes Mormon. :) |
To achieve these zero-gravity conditions, the plane, charmingly nicknamed “Vomit Comet” by NASA astronauts, drops 10,000 ft. in 20 seconds. To focus on their research, Crews and Tranter minimized their own motion sickness by taking prescribed medicine and limiting their acrobatic moments in the weightless environment.
“I’ve developed, over the last few days, a passionate love for the drug scopolamine,” said Crews.
Over four days of flights, Crews’ goal is to validate the device’s temperature control in zero gravity. Since heat rises in gravity, temperature-driven processes such as PCR could behave very differently in zero-gravity environment of space. This behavior change could affect the analysis, producing inaccurate results.
Furthermore, the analysis device had to be compact, light, and low-powered for space travel. At the same time, it also had to be rugged and resilient to function in unpredictable conditions.
Beyond monitoring astronaut health, the device could also aid researchers in the search for extraterrestrial life. By finding and analyzing DNA from another part of the universe, researchers will better understand the origins of life on earth since primordial conditions cannot be reproduced on Earth.
Also, the handheld device could have earthbound application in medical diagnostics applications for first responders where stability of the temperature control is important. EMTs could carry the DNA analysis device in extreme conditions such as high temperatures and high humidity.
Meanwhile, Crews is now preparing to test his device in actual space. Since the grounding of the NASA space shuttle program, Crews is looking at alternative launch platforms. Because commercial satellites often require extra weight to balance their equipment, Crews is planning to get his device a free lift into space as a nanosatellite ballast for a private-sector satellite.
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