Successful conclusion of the FBB project
The final presentation of the FBB (Fluorescence Based Biosensor) project was held at ESTEC on 28/11/2008. Funded by the ESA GSTP-4 programme, and developed by ESA and INASMET-TECNALIA, the FBB project has successfully developed a fluorescence based biosensor for microbial life detection compatible with microgravity environment. The system has been manufactured and tested for ground use and may be further developed for future space research.
Project background
The failure of biology-related experiments due to cross contamination is also a key issue to be solved and controlled. A recurring problem in long term life science experiments in closed environment is the unknown factor of infestation with micro organisms occurring after a certain period of time. It is essential to be able to control the conditions of the water, air, surface and food inside enclosed facilities.
Objectives and planning of the project
The aim of the project was to develop a biosensor for microbial life detection (FBB) capable of providing information of the infestation status in a closed container. The instrument allows the assessment of food, air, water and surfaces quality of a closed payload before and after cleaning operations.The activity started with updating the knowledge on microbial monitoring: state-of-the-art technologies, new developments, patents were analysed. Based on this information, a concept design was developed. It formed the basis for a further development of the system and included all requirements necessary to develop the detailed system. A breadboard and ground model were then built and tested.The test results of the breadboard helped defining the necessary iteration steps to build a ground model. Testing the ground model, lead to recommendations for improvement of the system. This information was collected in a flight model philosophy document for the FBB.
Characteristics of the system
Managed by INASMET-Tecnalia (San Sebastian, Spain), the FBB activity lead to the design of an instrument able to analyse the infestation status of a closed container. The System is capable of analysing up to eight different parameters simultaneously. (Escherichia coli, Total coli-forms, Enterococci, Total aerobic-count, Salmonella, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria). The instrument quantifies and classifies the infestation and therefore allows the personnel to take appropriate measures before opening the closed container.The sensor technology relies on a fluor-metric measurement system with a resolution of less than ten colonies per millilitre (10 cfu/ml). The FBB- system assembly consists of two main subsystems: one Sampling Module (for air, water, surface and food scenario) and one Analysis Module. A ground model has been developed and tested and a flight model philosophy document with recommendations for further innovation of the system has been delivered to the agency. Operational, maintenance, consumable production, operational logistic plan and user’s manuals have been also produced. This instrument is able to monitor biological micro-organism detection under microgravity conditions.
