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Gulliver Prototype Development and Deployment
Author(s) -
Williams Claire,
Berdy Brittany,
Epstein Slava
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.940.5
Subject(s) - petri dish , microorganism , nanotechnology , organism , bacterial growth , chemistry , biochemical engineering , biology , materials science , bacteria , engineering , microbiology and biotechnology , paleontology , genetics
The current objective of our project is to develop a technology, coined Gulliver, aimed at enhancing the study of microorganisms. This device will expand upon established in situ technology to cultivate and isolate microorganisms in one step. Our long term goal is for this device is to not only isolate and culture in one step, but also to eventually equip our device with nanosensors to allow in situ monitoring of bacterial growth and activity, and transmit this data directly to the researcher, allowing an unprecedented view into the microbial world. The Gulliver design consists of a flat mounting device with a 4 mm hole in the center to act as the growth chamber. On one side of the device, a polycarbonate membrane with 0.03μm pores is attached, allowing for diffusion of nutrients and growth signals from the environment. On the reverse side, the same membrane is affixed, however it contains an approximately 1 μm entry aperture, to allow entry of a single microbial cell into the growth chamber. Once the microorganism enters the pore, the entrance is blocked. As the organism continues to grow and divide, it is provided with nutrients from the environment through the diffusion pores, and a pure colony will develop inside the device. After a period of in situ incubation, the device is removed from the environment, the growing biomass retrieved from the growth chamber, “domesticated” and grown on a petri dish for further study. Currently, testing is underway using fluorescently labeled bacterial species to prove the concept of autonomous cultivation and isolation in on step. Devices will be incubated in mixed cultures of fluorescently labeled bacteria, and growth will be collected from each chamber. Fluorescence will be used to ensure a pure culture is obtained. Thus far, we have demonstrated an ability to reliably produce 1 μm pores in polycarbonate membrane. Furthermore, we have designed a prototype of the device consisting of the polycarbonate membrane adhered to a silicone or PTFE base. The prototype is capable of withstanding incubation in an aqueous environment, without material degradation, for up to 3 months, providing an extended period of time for environmental study of microorganisms. The overall goal of this project is to gain a fuller picture of the microbial world, allowing researchers to access novel microorganisms, study the important environmental processes they perform, and utilize the valuable bioactive compounds they produce. Support or Funding Information This particular segment of the project is supported by the NSF, the Alpha Fund Grant, and an Northeastern Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors Award.