The CGBA payload hardware performs two functions: automated processing of biological samples and stowage in a thermally controlled environment. The generic bioprocessing apparatus (GBA) occupies a single middeck locker space and requires 28 volts dc. Stowage is mission specific. Temperature-controlled stowage is provided by the isothermal containment module (ICM), a middeck locker apparatus requiring 28 Vdc.

There are four CGBA configurations consisting of different combinations of hardware: Configuration A consists of the GBA module plus ICM and middeck stowage locker, Configuration B consists of the GBA module plus ICM, and Configuration C consists of the GBA module plus middeck stowage locker. The ICM and/or locker accommodates stowage of biological samples before and after processing in the GBA. Configuration D consists of three GBA-ICM units.

The GBA module is a self-contained mixing and heating module used to process biological fluid samples in microgravity. Up to 120 triple-contained glass syringe fluid samples (in Lexan sheaths) are stored in either the ICM or a middeck locker. These fluids are manually mixed within the syringe and transferred to a sample containment vial that is heated and incubated. At the end of the incubation period, the fluid vials are returned to the ICM or stowage locker.

The ICM maintains a preset temperature environment, controls the activation and termination of the experiment samples, and serves as an interface for crew interaction, control, and data transfer. This incubation/refrigeration module is a lightweight aluminum/insulation-clad structure. The front portion of the housing contains the electronics, thermal, and crew interface subsystems. The rear portion is the isolated, temperature-controlled area that houses the experiment sample containers, e.g., standard GSPs, T-GAPs, auto-GAPs, illuminated culture vessels, or cameras. Each ICM can be fitted with an internal light source. The fluid cooling/heating loops embedded between the aluminum casing and the foam insulation are used to maintain accurate preset temperatures.

For STS-93, the CGBA payload will be flown in Configuration D, which includes three ICM units. One of the three ICM lockers will contain industry-sponsored research projects. The commercial objective in each case is to explore how the altered behavior of a biological process observed in space might be developed into an improved application or new product that will benefit U.S. industry and, as a result,ultimately improve the quality of life for the general public. The four CGBA projects to be flown on STS-93 are summarized below:

Water Purification: Bacterial growth tends to be more difficult to control in space. From data collected in space environments, researchers are exploring methods for improving water purification processes on Earth. Applications for this technology range from small devices designed for backpacking to municipal water treatment facilities. This CGBA project (conducted by Water Technologies Corporation WTC-Ecomasters, Inc., of West St. Paul, Minn.) is focused on developing new water purification resins to combat microorganisms that are becoming resistant to iodine.

Pharmaceutical Screening: The recruitment of leukocytes, or white blood cells, from the blood is critical in fighting infection. Space flight has been shown to suppress the immune system, and studies have identified at least two aspects of leukocyte recruitment that may contribute to this phenomenon. The objective of this experiment is to characterize leukocyte adhesion in microgravity. This research (conducted by Ligocyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc., of Bozeman, Mont.) may lead to improved pharmaceutical products to treat stress-induced immunosuppression and help prevent the undesirable side effects of current broad-spectrum corticosteroid treatment.

Taxol Production: By producing the anti-cancer drug, Taxol, in the near weightlessness of space, researchers may learn how to improve drug production facilities on Earth. This experiment will explore new compounds that begin cell culture production of Taxol, which could result in more efficient proudction techniques and lower costs for consumers. This research is conducted by EnviroGen, Inc., of Ft. Collins, Colo.

Dynamic Control of Protein Crystallization: Protein crystals, which are of much higher quality when grown in the weightlessness of space, are used to design drugs based on molecular structural analysis. A small entrepreneur (BioSpace International, Inc., of College Park, Md.) is investigating methods to further enhance the quality of space-grown crystals by actively monitoring and controlling the surrounding chemical environment.

Biomacromolecule Crystallization: Protein crystals grown in space may enable researchers to develop new drugs. The higher quality crystals with better three-dimensional structure grown in space may help commercial researchers determine the medical utility of experimental products, such as artificial replacement blood, before costly clinical trials begin. Baxter Hemoglobin Pharmaceuticals of Boulder, Colo., is conducting this experiment.

Two more CGBA ICM lockers to be flown on STS-93 will support science and educational research projects:

NIH.B.1 is an experiment designed to investigate the effects of space flight on neural development in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) larvae. This information may help scientists understand how gravity affects nerve growth and development and how neural connections to muscle fibers work. The experiment is sponsored by the National Space Foundation (NSF) and NASA Ames Research Center; the principal investigator is from Yale University.

STARS-1 (Space Technology and Research for Students) will investigate the predator/prey relationship between ladybugs and aphids and the chrysalis and wing development of Painted Lady butterflies in space. Farmers may use this information to take advantage of natural pest control methods to protect their crops and avoid chemical pesticides that endanger produce, water, animals, and people. The project is cosponsored by CMAT along with SPACEHAB, Inc. A number of U.S. middle and high schools, one high school from Santiago, Chile, and an educational publisher called J. Weston Walch, are involved with the ladybug experiment. Albany High School's High-Tech program is performing the butterfly experiment.

The CGBA payload was modified to accommodate various special requirements for these collaborative projects, such as independent thermal control for eight different sample containers in the NIH.B.1 locker and real-time video image downlink of the STARS-1 samples.