Project Title:

Red Blood Cell Measurements Using Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy

12.03-1113
Red Blood Cell Measurements Using Resonance
	Ionization Spectroscopy
Atom Sciences, Inc.
355 Paint Branch Drive
College Park, MD 20742
Larry J. Moore  (301-454-7751)
JSC -- NAS9-17932

Abstract:

	 Astronauts and animals flown in micro-gravity have experienced a loss of red blood
cell mass, but mechanisms causing this phenomenon are not understood. Preparations
for in-flight hematology studies include a desire to eliminate radioactive tracers
and substitute safe, stable isotopes, while utilizing microliter volume blood samples
for making red cell measurements. Phase I studies have demonstrated the basic feasibility
of using stable isotopes of chromium and iron as tracers to measure red cell mass,
survival, and production in ten microliter blood samples from rats. Picogram and
femtogram sensitivities were demonstrated for the minor isotopes of iron and chromium,
respectively, using laser resonance ionization spectroscopy.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Application: Possible applications are in diagnostic tests for
hematologic disorders, pediatric and neonatalogical monitoring, and general stable
isotope monitoring of physiological functions.