SporeSat: a lab on a chip for single cell study and translation to ground applications

• Main Author: Wan Salim, Wan Wardatul Amani
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: L Education (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/77398/1/COSMED%202019%20certificate%20keynote.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/77398/2/COSMED2019%20KEYNOTE%2014%20Nov%202019.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/77398/12/77398%20programme%20book.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/77398/; http://cosmed.iconf.me/index.php/submissions-and-downloads/download

SporeSat is an autonomous, free-flying spacecraft that was used to conduct a scientific experiment to investigate how germinating plant cells sense and respond to gravity. The plants used in the experiment are single-celled spores of the aquatic fern Ceratopteris richardii. The SporeSat mission was flown using a three-unit (3U) nanosatellite weighing approximately 12 pounds and measuring 14 inches long by 4 inches wide by 4 inches tall. The SporeSat science payload serves as a technology platform to evaluate new microsensor technologies for enabling future fundamental biology missions. I was appointed as the Principal Investigator to develop the science payload especially the biochips for measuring the calcium ions from germinating spores. Best practices were accumulated during my three years of working with NASA’s mission-oriented project; some these best practices include living and breathing the “I CAN DO” attitude, coordinating expertise across disciplines, collaborating effectively with a diverse and multidisciplinary team, and learning to have fun in both good and hard times. I will share some of the best practices I learned, including how to overcome challenges in the face of adversity.