BioChip SpaceLab

BCSL System

SCORPIO - V's BioChip SpaceLab (BCSL) is an accessible platform that enables academic and industry investigators to automate live-cell culture experiments with sophisticated microscopy techniques in the microgravity environment on-board the International Space Station (ISS).
Our Team offers experiment design, customization and end-to-end support for BCSL users, allowing the investigator to focus on her research.

Microfluidics

Custom microfluidics delivers multiple reagents over discrete time points for the duration of the experiment.

Microfluidics

Microscopy

Automated bright-field and fluorescent time-course imaging of cells for the duration of the experiment.

Microscopy

BioChips

Live-Cell culture systems tailored to an investigator’s cell line and research of interest.

BioChips

Overview

Experiment Design tailored to an investigator's cell line. The BioChip SpaceLab program supports a highly customizable environment with a variety of launch scenarios designed to accomodate a wide spectrum of research.

  • Maintaining live-cell cultures for days to weeks to months
  • Automated microfluidic delivery of multiple media formulations, drug reagents, fluorescent probes and/or preservatives
  • Automated bright-field and/or fluorescent imaging of cells for the duration of the experiment
  • An on-orbit 1G control with optional variable G treatments (0.1-3G)
  • A Cell Incubation Drawer capable of housing several 50-100 mL IV Bags for cell incubation and expansion at 37°C prior to initiating the experiment. This drawer will primarily be used for “Experiment Initiated On-Orbit” launch scenario
  • A BioChip Thawing Tray to facilitate quick and controlled thawing of up to 12 BioChips to 37°C. This tray will primarily be used for the “Frozen BioChip” launch scenario
  • Optional ground based BCSL facility to perform calibrations and control experiments

Experiment Initiation Scenarios

We support the following methods for spaceflight experiments

Live-Cell Launch:
Cell Cultures remain living inside a BioChip through launch
Frozen BioChip:
Cell Cultures are frozen and stored at -80° C inside a BioChip and thawed on-orbit prior to experiment.
On-Orbit Initiation:
Cryogenically frozen cells will be thawed, incubated, and seeded in BioChips onboard the ISS