Conduct a Series of Basic Experiments Focused on the Phenomenon of Microgravity Dependent Cell Alterations. Subtitle: Space Based Fluorimeter.
Abstract
We have designed and built a prototype of a device which will compliment Walter Reed's existing space experiment with the capabilities of taking pictures of fluorescence on a microscopic scale. Our instrument is composed of a nitrogen-pumped dye laser, an image intensified Charge Coupled Device camera, a 15mm working distance 40x objective, a miniature 386 PC, an El back plane monitor, and a Digital Audio Tape drive. The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Division of Surgery is one of the principal groups studying the effects of zero gravity on humans. Their efforts have focused on looking at the problem on a cellular level. They are currently using two pieces of equipment in their study: the ACUS laboratory based fluorimeter, and an experiment compartment which will fly on board the Space Shuttle. The ACUS machine allows the Walter Reed biologists to view fluorescence emmited by bio-probing dyes infused onto living cells. The dyes, inside the cells, attach to specific intercellular ions or proteins. These bio-probes are then excited by an incident laser, causing them to fluoresce at a specific wavelength. By capturing and monitoring this light, biologists can measure relative concentrations of targeted ions or proteins.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADB159638
Entities
People
- John Vickery
- L. A. Pranger
- Landon Gentry
- Lynn S. Fox
- Tina Okawa
Organizations
- Harvey Mudd College