At VITARIS, we are always delighted when our partners surprise us with innovative applications. This time we are taking you on a very special journey: Our supplier ibidi impressively demonstrates how far the possible applications of its products reach - literally into space. We would like to share this inspiring story with you as an exciting case study.
From a simple message to a big story
Imagine opening your email - and finding a message that catapults your company straight into space. This is exactly how the story that led ibidi to the International Space Station began.
It said - freely translated:
"We used your µ-Slides on the International Space Station. They worked perfectly. We have pictures and videos of astronauts filling them - and live footage of bacteria. Would you like to use this for technical or promotional purposes?"
Wait a minute... our slides? On the ISS?
From Portland to the ISS
Our colleague Stefanie Kiderlen from Technical Marketing could hardly believe it and contacted us immediately. That's how we found out the whole story - and it's far more than just a little piece of space science.
Behind the request was Prof. Jay Nadeau's working group at Portland State University, which was looking for a tool that was both safe and robust in space as well as visually appealing. The choice fell on the ibidi µ-Slide I Luer 0.8, which proved to be the perfect solution thanks to its break resistance and suitability for fluidic experiments. Safety is the top priority, especially in space, because glass breakage on the ISS would simply be unthinkable - and this is precisely where ibidi was able to impress.
But the structure of the experiment was also interesting:
- a specially developed digital holographic microscope
- the µ-Slides from ibidi
- and the microalgae Euglena gracilis
Before the experiment began, the biological samples were first centrifuged to remove air bubbles. An astronaut then carefully filled the suspension into the µ-Slide and placed it in the microscope. Digital holography was used to record the movement patterns of the cells - speed, swimming direction, agility - all live in zero gravity.
And as the customer herself sums it up:
"For our ISS experiments, safety was critical-we needed to avoid sharp or breakable components. The ibidi µ-Slide I Luer 0.8 with a Polymer bottom was the perfect fit: highly break-resistant, optically comparable to glass, and ideal for our fluidic setups."
Quote from:
Prof. Jay Nadeau
Microscopy and Materials Laboratory at Portland State University
Portland USA
https://motility.research.pdx.edu/
ibidi µ-Slide I Luer 0.8
Channel µ-Slides with different heights, volumes and coatings especially suitable for flow-through applications:
- Large range for uniform shear stress
- Simple connection via Luer adapter
- Homogeneous cell distribution
- Base properties: analogous to #1.5 Microscopy cover glass, polymer, sterilized
optically comparable to glass, yet shatterproof - Surface treatments: cell culture treated | untreated | collagen IV
- Channel heights: 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.8 mm
The result: biology without borders
The experiment provided fascinating insights into biology under microgravity - supported by impressive NASA video footage.
And because pictures are known to say more than a thousand words, we are showing you a very special insight here: The video from the ISS, in which an astronaut carries out the experiment with the ibidi µ-Slide:
Conclusion - Small slide, big jumps
An unexpected message turned into a highlight that shows how versatile ibidi products can be used - even in space.
Curious? Take a look at the user comments on the µ-Slide I Luer 0.8, because sometimes even small slides lead to big leaps.
