P16104 Microfluidic Spectroscopy for Proteins within CubeSats

Agenda Introduction and Project Background Problem Statement Stakeholders, Project Deliverables and Use Scenario Customer Needs, Engineering Requirements, and House of Quality Constraints and Risks Benchmarking Project Plan

P16104 Team Members and Roles August Allen Andrea Mazzocchi Anna Jensen Darin Berrigan James Lewis Mallory Rauch Matthew Glazer

Project Background - CubeSats Miniaturized satellite with a one-liter volume Developed in 1999 and become a standard for accessing low-earth orbit due to its relative low-cost Frequently developed and launched to perform a variety of applications Imaging, exploration, atmospheric science, propulsion, etc…

Project Background - CubeSats Greatly reduced cost allows for wide variety of research Off the shelf hardware is cheaper and quicker to develop compared to conventional space equipment More and more Universities and groups are developing CubeSat projects

Project Background – CubeSat Bioresearch GeneSat-1 (2006) – Provided life support for bacteria (E. coli) and contained onboard sensors and optical systems for detecting proteins that indicate specific genetic activity PharmaSat (2009) - Measured the influence of microgravity upon yeast resistance to an antifungal agent O/OREOS (2010) – SESLO and SEVO experiments Space Environment Survivability of Live Organisms - Measured long term survival, germination, and growth responses, including metabolic activity of bacteria Space Environment Viability of Organics - Monitor stability and changes in four classes of organic matter exposed to space conditions

Problem Statement Scientists have discovered that exposure to microgravity has an effect on proteins. However, the specific effect is mostly unknown and could be critical to the study of human physiology. Biological research has thus far been limited to the International Space Station where experiments can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Over the past two decades, advancements in technology have enabled the development of miniature satellites known as CubeSats which have drastically reduced the cost of accessing low-earth orbit for conducting research. As of mid-2015, three CubeSats have successfully launched and performed biological experiments but none have examined proteins directly. The goal of this project is to design a cost-effective bioassay that could be integrated into a CubeSat. The end result will be a functional prototype that performs automated folding analysis of hemoglobin and contains on-board electronics that store and transmit data to Earth for analysis. The prototype should meet NASA’s requirements of Technical Readiness Level 4 to demonstrate proof of concept in a laboratory environment. This process should greatly reduce the cost of performing experiments on proteins in space.

Team Vision for Problem Definition Phase Our team planned on completing all of the assigned deliverables within the problem definition, and we had the additional challenge of needing to select a customer. We also wanted to do begin initial protein and electrical research to prepare for future phases. Dr. Lea Michel, a protein scientist in RIT’s College of Science agreed to be our customer during Week 2 of the Problem Definition Phase. With her agreeing to be our customer, we were able to best complete our deliverables as our scope was narrowed. Further research was also able to be carried out with regards to proteins and the forms of data collection we would like to pursue.

Stakeholders Dr. Lea Michel – Biochemistry Professor, Customer Rochester Institute of Technology – MSD Sponsor MSD Team RIT SPEX – Specific Interest Group

Deliverables ◦Working bioassay prototype with NASA Technical Readiness Level 4 ◦Detailed design documentation of the bioassay and CubeSat ◦Test data to support proof of concept.

Use Scenario

Customer Requirements

Engineering Requirements

House of Quality

Risks

Benchmarking

Project Plan for Next Cycle

References somd/home/CubeSats_initiative.html

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