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Facility/Payload OverviewBrief Facility Summary
Biological Experiment Laboratory in Columbus (BioLab) is a multi-user research facility located in the European Columbus Laboratory. It will be used to perform space biology experiments on microorganisms, cells, tissue cultures, small plants and small invertebrates. BioLab will allow a better understanding of the effects of microgravity and space radiation on biological organisms.
Facility Manager(s)
EADS Astrium, Toulouse, France
European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Noordwijk, The Netherlands
European Space Agency (ESA)
Expeditions Assigned|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|
Previous ISS MissionsInformation Pending
Facility/Payload Description
Facility Summary
- BioLab provides an on-orbit biology laboratory that enables the study of the effects of microgravity and space radiation on single-cellular and multicellular organisms, including bacteria, insects, protists (simple eukaryotic organisms), seeds, and cells.
- The BioLab facility includes an incubator, microscope, spectrophotometer (instrument used to measure the spectrum of light absorbed by a sample), and two centrifuges to provide artificial gravity. BioLab's life support system can regulate the atmospheric makeup (including humidity). Illumination and observation capability of individual experiment containers (ECs) is also provided.
- BioLab is integrated as a single International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR) within the European Columbus Laboratory, which will be launched on Space Shuttle mission, STS-122.
- Results from BioLab could impact biomedical research areas such as immunology, pharmacology, bone demineralization, cellular signal transduction (the processing of electrochemical stimuli in cells), cellular repair capability, and biotechnology.
The BioLab facility, integrated into a single International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR) in the European Columbus Laboratory, is divided into two sections: (1) the automated section, or core unit, and (2) the manual section, designed for crew interaction with the experiments. The core unit, which can operate autonomously or telerobotically (via commands sent from the ground), consists of a large incubator, two centrifuges, a microscope, spectrophotometer (instrument used to measure the spectrum of light absorbed by a sample), sample handling mechanism, and automatic temperature-controlled stowage (ATCS) to keep small amounts of sample. The manual section consists of the experiment preparation unit (EPU), the BioGloveBox (BGB), and additional temperature control units (TCUs) for storing ECs and preserving samples and Experiment Containers (ECs).
The EC is designed to enclose a variety of biological samples in a standardized way, in order to interface with the other BioLab subsystems, such as power, data, and life support. The standard EC measures 6 x 6 x 10 cm, whereas the Advanced EC, capable of video, measures 10.8 x 15 x 13.7 cm. The incubator is capable of maintaining ECs at a temperature between 18 degrees C and 40 degrees C with an accuracy of +/- 0.5 degrees C. The two centrifuges located inside the incubator are capable of providing artificial gravity in the range from 0.001 G to 2 G (G is the gravitational acceleration at the Earth's surface). An array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is used to provide white light illumination, as well as infrared observation.
BioLab's handling mechanism (HM) is a robotic arm that provides an interface between the ECs and BioLab's analytical instruments, namely the microscope and spectrophotometer. BioLab's microscope, which can be controlled by investigators on the ground, has a resolution ranging from 0.6 micrometers to 1.8 micrometers (mm) with a 0.25 mm and 1.0 mm diameter field of view, respectively. The spectrophotometer, which uses tungsten and deuterium lamps, can analyze light passed through the sample in the spectral range of 220 to 900 nm (ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared) with a resolution of 10 nm. Finally, the HM also allows automated transfer of samples from the incubator to the ATCS, which can maintain temperatures between -20 degrees C and 10 degrees C with an accuracy of +/- 1 degrees C.
In the manual section, the BioGloveBox (BGB) allows manipulation of the experiment hardware in a closed, controlled environment with a working volume of 32 L. It also provides disinfection of the working volume using an ozone gas (O3) unit. The Thermo-Electrical Unit (TEU) maintains air temperature inside the BGB between 21 degrees C and 38 degrees C with an accuracy of +/- 2 degrees C. Lastly, the two TCUs allow storage of ECs and ATCS inserts before and after use at an adjustable temperature between -20 degrees C and 10 degrees C with an accuracy of +/- 1 degrees C.
Operations
Facility Operations
Biological samples are transported from the ground either within ECs or in small vials. The latter case applies if the samples require cold storage prior to use. Once on-orbit, the ECs are manually inserted into BioLab, or in the case of cold storage, the samples are thawed in the experiment preparation unit (EPU). After this initial loading and processing, the crewmember initiates the automatic portion of the experiment. During this phase, parallel experiments are run under microgravity conditions, 1 G artificial gravity (using the centrifuge), or other desired levels of artificial gravity, in addition to 1 G reference experiments performed on the ground.
Depending on the investigation, at certain intervals the samples are transported via the BioLab HM to the facilities analytical instruments, where scientists on the ground can perform in-situ analysis via tele-operations (commands to operate the instruments are sent remotely from the ground). The samples can also be transported using the HM to the facilities ATCS, where they can be stored at a temperature between -20 degrees C and 10 degrees C.
If the experiments require any additional manipulation or processing, the crewmember can perform such tasks inside the BioGloveBox (BGB). Investigations are expected to range in duration from 1 day to 3 months. Between investigations, if needed, the experiment preparation unit located within the BGB can be sterilized by activation of the ozone gas (O3) unit.
Results/More Information
Information Pending
Availability
Related Web Sites
Publications
Results Publications
Related Publications
- Serafini L, Vigano W, Donati A, Porciani M, Zolesi V, Schulze-Varnholt D, Manieri P, El-Din Sallam A, Schmaeh M, Horn ER. The development of the hardware for studying biological clock systems under microgravity conditions, using scorpions as animal models. Acta Astronautica. ;60:420-425 2007
- Brinckmann E, Schiller P. Experiments with small animals in BIOLAB and EMCS on the International Space Station. Advances in Space Research. ;30(4):809-814. 2002
Images
Artist's impression of the BioLab facility, divided into the automated section, or core unit (left-side), and the manual section (right-side). Credit: ESA+ View Larger Image
NASA Image: ISS016E030923 - BioLab facility in the Columbus module. Image taken during Expedition 16.+ View Larger Image
NASA Image: ISS018E012153 - BioLab facility in the Columbus module. Image taken during Expedition 18.+ View Larger Image
NASA Image: S122-E-008899: European Space Agency astronaut Hans Schlegel, STS-122 mission specialist, continues work aimed toward readying the agency's new Columbus laboratory for duty aboard the International Space Station. + View Larger Image
Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office