|
|
|
|
| Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus |
| SpaceHab |
| Prime: Chiaki Mukai | Principal Investigator: Dr. George Morgenthaler, Director, BioServe Space Technologies, University of Colorado, Boulder |
| Backup: Pedro Duque |
| Overview |
| The Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus provides experiment support, such as thermal and automated controls, for commercially sponsored science experiments. By encouraging commercial access to orbiting laboratories, NASA is opening more opportunities for new technologies and products. The Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus consists of a "family" of payloads located in two specialized lockers, one in the space shuttle middeck and one in the SPACEHAB module. The two bioprocessing apparatus lockers flown on STS-95 will contain eight research projects in the areas of protein crystal growth, pharmaceutical production, plant growth, water purification, immune system research, and fish egg development. The eight Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus experiments for STS-95 are as follows: Dynamic Control of Protein Crystallization BioServe, in conjunction with a small entrepreneurial partner, is investigating methods of further enhancing the quality of protein crystals used for structural analysis and development of new drug designs. Microbial Antibiotic Production Research with Bristol-Myers Squibb on two previous space flights has shown that antibiotics can be produced two to five times better in near-weightlessness than on Earth. On STS-95 a new device, the Gas Exchange Fermentation Apparatus, will refine previous efforts and is expected to provide new insight into what causes increased antibiotic production. This knowledge, gained in space, may improve pharmaceutical production on Earth. Plant-Produced Pharmaceutical Compounds Plants have been shown to produce less structural material, called lignin, in low-gravity conditions. This plant cell tissue culture experiment is planned to determine whether the available metabolic energy normally used to make the plant structure can be channeled into increased production of a secondary compound with potential pharmaceutical application. Water Purification Researchers are working to develop a new generation of water purification resins to combat the problem of microorganisms becoming resistant to iodine disinfection and biological methods of wasted treatment. Through the near-weightlessness of space, investigators are exploring how to improve water purification processes on Earth. Applications of this technology range from small devices used for backpacking to municipal water treatment facilities. Magnetic Cell Separation This investigation will test magnetic force as a new method for separating and sorting cells involved with the body's immune system. Researchers expect to magnetize a species of bacteria called M. magnetotacticum by growing it in magnetite, which comes from iron. Through the virtual absence of gravity in space, researchers seek to observe and understand ways to use the magnetic force of the bacteria to combat immune disorders. Plant Gene Expression In an effort to improve the quantity and quality of fruit and vegetable crops grown on Earth, this investigation will transfer the plant gene "Auxin-inducible GH3" from one type of plant to another to control the growth process. This technique may lead to new methods to induce plants to produce high-yielding fruits in the absence of pollination and to delay ripening during transport from farm to market. Plant Fertilization Researchers plan to grow a soil bacterium called Rhizobium on cereal crops such as wheat, rice, and corn. This bacterium attaches to the plant's roots and allows the plant to extract nitrogen from the air and soil. Rhizobium naturally benefits legume plants such as beans, peas, and soybeans. Successful results of this experiment would have significant impact on the agriculture industry by increasing cereal crop yields, while reducing the need for adding fertilizer. Aquaculture Productivity By studying fish eggs in space, researchers are trying to understand how to stimulate and increase the growth and development cycles for fish hatcheries on Earth. Previous space experiments have shown that brine shrimp development could be accelerated when in near-weightlessness. Based on these results, researchers are exploring if this accelerated development will occur with fish eggs by inducing an increased metabolic rate. |
|
|
| History/Background |
| Various versions of the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus have been flown on 11 shuttle missions, including two four-month stays aboard Mir. Upgrades to the system's computer have been incorporated for the STS-95 mission, allowing commands to be sent and data received directly to and from a payload operations and control center located in the Colorado University Engineering Center in Boulder. This capability is being developed in support of future bioprocessing payloads onboard the International Space Station. |
|
|
|
| Section Index | Main Index | Search | Contacts |
Editorial Contact Ed Campion
Technical Contact USA Web Master
