Murine Automated Urine Sampler (MAUS)

This proposal outlines planned development for a low-power, low-mass automated urine sample collection and preservation system for small mammals, capable of long-term operation in an isolated environment. It brings together earlier waste management and preservation techniques from NASA and other laboratory research in a novel manner, enabling solid-state storage and chromatographic analysis of urine for periods of up to 8 weeks. Urinary compounds, particularly those indicative of bone metabolism and protein turnover -- such as calcium, sodium, potassium, 3-methylhistidine, creatinine, corticosterone, histidine, n-telopeptide, hydroxyproline, pyridinoline, and deoxypyridinoline -- are one of the most valuable sources of data for studying musculoskeletal changes over time in response to altered stimuli, including loading environment. Since urine collection is non-invasive and provides a wealth of knowledge, including bone loss, muscle atrophy, and general stress, it is an ideal candidate for automated collection and storage. However, in common laboratory practice, urine samples must be collected, then frozen or analyzed within hours. The development of a urine collection and preservation system for common experimental small mammals will enable fundamental space biology research programs to substantially increase data gathered in the long-term studies planned for the International Space Station and other vehicles.