Underwater RNA Sampler
The Girguis Lab, in collaboration with McLane Labs and the Stewart lab @MSU, have developed a low-cost RNA sampler for use on any Niskin bottle rosette. Our goal is to make in situ preservation accessible to a broader community of ocean scholars. (Ivory Engstrom)
The Underwater RNA Sampler was designed in collaboration with McLane Research Laboratories, Inc. and is an in-situ sampler that can be mounted on the CTD rosettes found on oceanographic research vessels. It is mounted in lieu of one Niskin bottle and actuated via lanyard, thus eliminating the need for electrical interfacing with the rosette. Once it is deployed to the appropriate depth and its lanyard is released, the filtration system begins a pre-programmed routine of filtering for nucleic acids, proteins, or geochemistry. It can also be configured to fill Tedlar™ sampling bags, pre-charged with the appropriate preservative, for geochemical or microscopic analyses. The sampler is designed with a titanium housing and other components that enable its use at depths down to 4,000 m. The sampler will also be modified to filter multiple samples into individual filters and then preserve them with a pre-determined fixative. When this modification is completed, the user will be able to pre-program the device (via a graphical user interface) to filter for precise times, as well as to pause between filtration events. If the user programs in a time delay between filtration events, they may reposition the rosette to filter or collect water from different depths.
This sampler is slated for commercial release in mid to late 2024.
