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| Cell Culture Model, Configuration C |
| In-Cabin |
| Prime: Eileen Collins | Principal Investigator: Dr. Kenton Gregory, Oregon Medical Laser Center in Portland, Ore., and Dr. Eugenia Wang of McGill, University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Backup: Cady Coleman |
| Overview |
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The objectives of this payload are to validate cell culture models for muscle, bone, and endothelial cell biochemical and functional loss induced by microgravity stress; to evaluate cytoskeleton, metabolism, membrane integrity, and protease activity in target cells; and to test tissue loss pharmaceuticals for efficacy. The experiment unit fits into a single standard middeck locker with the door panels removed. The unit takes in and vents air to the cabin via the front panel. The experiment is powered and functions continuously from prelaunch through postlanding. The analysis module for STS-93 is CCM Configuration C. It has a hermetically sealed fluid path assembly containing the cells under study, all media for sustained growth, automated drug delivery provisions to test candidate pharmaceuticals, in-line vital activity and physical environment monitors, integral fraction collection capabilities, and cell fixation facilities. The fluid path and media are cooled by a 4-degree Celsius active cooling chamber and associated cabling and driver circuitry. (This payload was formerly called Space Tissue Loss, Configuration A.) STS-93 will be the maiden voyage of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Cell Culture Module with cooling. CCM-C is the sister payload of the CCM, which has been used to support collaborative cell culture experiments since 1994. CCM-C is identical to CCM except that it reduces the number of experiment bioreactors to accommodate a resident cooling chamber. This chamber can be used to extend the life of stored fluids essential to cell culture nutrients and samples that would normally break down in the 37-degree Celsius environment of the CCM. The CCM-C features two exciting collaborative experiments that have never been flown in space. The first, involving endothelialized elastin heterografts, seeks to demonstrate microgravity effects on blood vessel function and gene expression. The second experiment will study rapid-aging effects and genetic alterations that occur in space and are thought to correlate with aging on Earth. CCM-C will also flight-qualify three different sensors essential for long-duration experimentation in space and useful in ground applications as well. The sensors include a miniature pH electrode developed by NASA Ames Sensors 2000 program, a noninvasive pH sensor developed by engineers at WRAIR, and a noninvasive oxygen sensor developed by Dr. Mark Arnold at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. These sensors will make it possible to determine and record cell growth and metabolism during the mission and will allow feedback control for better, more reproducible experiments. CCM-C is integrated and flown under the direction of the DOD Space Test Program Office at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Tex. |
Editorial/Technical Comments: ShuttlePresskit
