HNu Photonics, LLC

Objective

The Scorpio-V Bio-Chip Space-Lab (BCSL) provides an accessible platform that enables academic and industry researchers to perform long-term automated cell culturing experiments with live-cell imaging in the unique microgravity environment on-board the International Space Station. The Scorpio-V team provides experimental design customization and support to lab users. An identical dedicated BCSL ground station offers pre-experiment testing as well as simultaneous operations.

Capabilities

• Custom microfluidics delivers multiple reagents over discrete time points for the duration of the experiment.
• Brightfield and Fluorescence Microscopy allows minute-tohour-to-day-to-month time-course imaging during spaceflight.
• Near real-time data downlinking for researchers to observe experiments in progress, with the ability to modify protocols.
• Fixed frozen samples returned to investigators for post-processing.

Features

• Automated BCSL experiments can be programmed to experience microgravity and continuous simulated gravity (user selectable) for experimental control.
• Accommodates live-cell and frozen-cell launches.
• Provides up to ten experimental stations with configurable microfluidics.
• Customizable microfluidic chips provide versatility for tissue culture 2-D or 3-D variable volumes.

Long-Term Live-Cell Imaging Capabilities

• Automated imaging system allows phase-contrast, DIC and fluorescence imaging.
• Selectable microscope objectives.
• Selectable wavelengths for fluorescence imaging. Arrays of selectable dichroic filters and emission filters.
• Automated positioning allows long-term time-course imaging of all biochips in BCSL at user-defined scan frequency.

Customizable Biochip for Long-Term Space-Based Cell Culture

• Culture chambers maintain cells in a low-shear microenvironment.
• Biochip designs accommodate imaging of a 3-D volume (depth and cell density dependent).
• Each biochip provides isolated chambers with multiple samples running in parallel.
• Automated sampling of cell media at configurable time-points.
• Each cell-growth chamber can be infused with a single or multiple drug combinations.
• Internal configuration can be customized to support the culture of: Adherent cells, cells in suspension, 3-D aggregates and organoids, organ-on-a-chip.