Dear Spiral user, We’re pleased to introduce Helix, https://helix.imperial.ac.uk/ Imperial’s new repository for research datasets. Please use Helix for all future dataset deposits. There is no change to Spiral - continue depositing as usual. For queries, contact the Research Data Management team at rdm-enquiries@imperial.ac.uk. Kind regards, the Spiral Team. The Spiral team
Isolator/glovebox technical challenges for the curation of samples returned from Mars
File(s)
rsta.2024.0440.pdf (1.06 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Holt, John Michael Christopher
Olsson-Francis, Karen
Harvey, Ruth
Sephton, Mark
Smith, Caroline
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Mars sample return (MSR) is classified by COSPAR as a Class V restricted science mission because of the non-zero risk that selected rock and regolith may contain an unknown extra-terrestrial microbiology. Once returned to Earth, the samples will be initially curated in a specialized high-containment sample receiving facility (SRF), using isolators that meet or exceed the containment standards of a Class III biosafety cabinet (BSC). A key challenge in designing such a facility is integrating biological containment with ultra-clean cabinet operations for curation. A double-walled isolator (DWI) concept is often discussed as a containment solution to this challenge. To support planetary protection (PP) requirements of the mission, a DWI breadboard (DWI BB) model has been developed in the UK to demonstrate and test the double-wall concept. Its multi-barrier technology enables the safe handling/movement, analysis and curation of precious samples in a pristine environment. This article explores the technical challenges of sample curation under high containment and how the double-wall design, incorporating a tertiary pressure barrier, supports enhanced Class III BSC development within a biosafety level (BSL) 3 or 4 (BSL-3/4) laboratory.
Date Issued
2026-02-12
Date Acceptance
2025-06-13
Citation
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 2026, 384 (2314)
URI
URL
DOI
ISSN
1364-503X
Publisher
The Royal Society
Journal / Book Title
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Volume
384
Issue
2314
Copyright Statement
© 2026 The Authors. Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted use, provided the original author and source are credited.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41674269
PII: 480251
Subjects
DWI
Mars
biosafety cabinet
planetary-protection
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Article Number
20240440
Date Publish Online
2026-02-12