Sampling and Sample Processing Standardization for Spacecraft and Associated Clean Room Surfaces
- Paper number
IAC-10.A1.5.9
- Author
Mrs. Kelly Kwan, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Kasthuri Venkatweswaran, Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Institute of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. James Benardini, Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Institute of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Christina Stam, Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Institute of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Moogega Cooper, Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Institute of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Myron La Duc, Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Institute of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Parag Vaishampayan, Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Institute of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Giuliano Scalzi, Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Institute of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. James A Spry, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Gary Andersen, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Christine Moissl-Eichinger, Germany
- Year
2010
- Abstract
Due to stringent cleaning procedures, the microbial burden of a typical spacecraft assembly clean room is lower in comparison to other indoor environments. This presents a challenge in the recovery of microorganisms and biomolecules from spacecraft surfaces. In order to obtain samples that are representative of both the diversity and richness of microbial species on spacecraft and associated clean room surfaces, current sampling and sample processing techniques needed to be evaluated for their efficiency in recovering microorganisms and targeted biomolecules. The effectiveness of several sampling devices and processing techniques were analyzed by doping a known concentration of microbial cells onto a surrogate spacecraft surface. The model microbial community used in this study consists of 11 species of extremophiles present in spacecraft assembly clean rooms and represents fungal, archaeal, and bacterial strains. Additionally, the community organisms possess multiple survival characteristics, such as resistance to gamma and UV radiation, hydrogen peroxide, and desiccation. The model community was analyzed at 0 hours and subsequent time points for cultivability, viability, cell concentration, DNA concentration, and species richness. Stainless steel coupons were spiked with equal aliquots of the model community, dried, and then sampled at different time points using a variety of sampling devices (swabs, wipes, and macrofoam sponges) for comparison. Extractions from each sampling device underwent the same downstream analysis as performed on the model community, specifically including colony/microscopic counts, ATP assay, a novel live-dead DNA intercalating dye analysis, rrn gene (16S and 18S) Q-PCR, and species-specific PCR. Results from this study will optimize current sampling and sample processing techniques while enabling planetary protection to obtain samples which are representative of spacecraft and associated surfaces. In addition to NASA astrobiology/planetary protection programs, the outcome of this research will be useful for the control of microbial contamination in the pharmaceutical, medical, food processing, and other industries in which clean rooms are essential.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-10.A1.5.9.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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