Fluids Processing Apparatus (FPA) training hardware for the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA) experiment. The FPA is used as a "microgravity test tube" that contains fluids separated by sliding septum. This is demonstrated in the FPA that contains red, yellow, and blue liquids separated by the sliding septum. By pushing the plunger against the septum, the fluids can be sequentially mixed together. The components of FPA are seen in this photograph including the plunger cap, glass barrel, lexan sheath, and the end cap. The FPA can be used for cell culture and protein crystallization experiments. The basic idea of the FPA is to have, for example, microorganisms growing in one liquid suspension and automatically introduce an antibiotic liquid to the bacteria suspension to study the effects of microgravity on antibiotic resistance.
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Curator:
Julie Oliveaux
Responsible NASA Official: John Uri |
Page last updated: 07/16/1999
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