Notes from 4.6.2012 meeting
Combination vacuum/electrostatic sampler. This is method of impaction onto a charged electrostatic surface. Commercial model here: http://microbiodetection.com/resources/BrochSass3100eng.pdf. Unit weighs ~6 lbs, will operate at -40 C, uses a rechargeable battery, and sucks air at 120 L/min. This seems like a viable, but expensive option. 
Rotarod. Specifically designed to collect pollen samples at lower altitudes. Sticky tape on a rotor. Pollen and fungal spores on the tape are identified under the microscope. (http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndagres/ spring98/ar10598.htm#Table)
Can we use something with more surface surface area with the rotarod? Glass wool is a good option because it will hold up to the temperature and pressure changes, but that is hard to extract DNA from. We need to be able to elute and bead-beat. Could we use the same solvent that they are using to get cells off of?
What about a giant rotor?
To do. Jess & Ann need to send Oliver a button sampler (will ship 4.13.2012). They will make a fan mock-up. Look for adhesive or gel that is compatible with low temperatures and maintains cells to use with a rotarod or other impaction-type device. Or try glass wool. Or filter that is held up by a grill. Vaseline on blades of the fan (smear on adhesive).
Relevant Information.
Similar project at CSU-Pueblo
- $700 budget
- design device to collect viable microbes from 90,000 -100,000 feet
Paper detailing the design and testing of an electrostatic sampling device
Bacteria cultured from samples collected along an altitudinal gradient using a cryosampler
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