The ISS National Lab-Sponsored Investigations Berthed to the International Space Station

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (April 17, 2015) – The fifth series of payloads sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab) successfully berthed to the International Space Station (ISS) onboard Space Exploration Technologies Corporation’s (SpaceX) Dragon capsule. The ISS National Lab is tasked with managing and promoting research onboard the ISS U.S. National Laboratory.

Research onboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule includes a range of experiments sponsored by the ISS National Lab from the commercial and academic communities. Below is an overview of the major payloads sponsored by the ISS National Lab:

Osteo-4 (NIH Transitioned Payload)
PI: Paola Divieti Pajevic, MD, Ph.D., Boston, MA, United States

Osteocytes and Mechanomechano-transduction (Osteo-4) studies the effects of microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. on the function of osteocytes, which are the most common cells in bone. These cells reside within the mineralized bone and can sense mechanical forces, or the lack of them, but researchers do not know how. Osteo-4 allows scientists to analyze changes in the physical appearance and genetic expression of mouse bone cells in microgravity.

PCG-3 (Merck)
PI: Paul Reichert

Microgravity Growth of Crystalline Monoclonal Antibodies for Pharmaceutical Applications focuses on the protein crystal growth (PCG) of two human monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are specialized types of proteins made by immune cells that can bind to target cells or other proteins to perform a specific task. The monoclonal antibodies in this investigation have been developed by the pharmaceutical company Merck Research Laboratories and are being used in drugs designed for the treatment of a variety of human diseases. Merck plans to grow high quality crystals in microgravity to improve drug delivery and purification methods and to determine protein structure.

Rodent Research-2 (Novartis)
PI: Dr. Samuel Cadena

The primary objective of this research is to monitor the effects of the space environment on the musculoskeletal and neurological systems of mice as model organisms of human health and disease. Living in microgravity results in significant and rapid effects on the physiology of mice that mimic the process of aging and some diseases in humans on Earth, including muscle atrophy and the loss of bone mineral density. This project will help Novartis scientists to discover new molecular targets that can facilitate the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of muscle and bone related diseases.

Synthetic Muscle (Ras Labs)
PI: Lenore Rasmussen, Ph.D.

This investigation will test radiation resistance of an electroactive polymer called Synthetic Muscle™, developed by Ras Labs, which can contract like real muscle and can also expand. Improvement of durability and function of radiation-hardened and radiation-resistant synthetic muscle will advance robotics, realistic prosthetics, and human-like robotics on Earth. This investigation stems from a partnership associated with the MassChallenege Startup Accelerator.

“Our team at the ISS National Lab congratulates SpaceX on another successful mission carrying a variety of investigations destined for the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory,” said the ISS National Lab Director of Operations and Education Initiatives Ken Shields. “This mission combines commercial investigators who are repeat users of the National Laboratory, academic inquiry and materials science research, all of which translates to improving life on Earth. We look forward to many more diverse sets of research flying to station through our launch partners.”

For additional information on the research sent to the ISS National Laboratory on the SpaceX Dragon capsule, please visit this video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpIZDP8kc_g

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About the ISS National Lab: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISS National Lab) was selected by NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration in July 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory through 2020. the ISS National Lab is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. For more information, visit issnationallab.org.

About the ISS National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the International Space Station as the nation’s newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing STEM education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by other U.S. government agencies and by academic and private institutions, providing access to the permanent microgravity setting, vantage point in low Earth orbit(Abbreviation: LEO) The orbit around the Earth that extends up to an altitude of 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Earth’s surface. The International Space Station’s orbit is in LEO, at an altitude of approximately 250 miles., and varied environments of space.

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