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Illuminating Cell Biology A n instrument developed to help scientists tion, cytoskeleton organization, gene expression, S F study cell biology onboard the Interna- and many other cellular processes. To accom- F O N tional Space Station (ISS) is also benefit- plish these goals, NASA recognized that fluores- PI —S ing researchers here on Earth. The Cell Fluores- cence spectroscopy, one of the most powerful S FIT cence Analysis System (CFAS), developed by methods available for cell biology research, E N Ciencia, Inc., of East Hartford, Connecticut, is was a necessary technique within the facility, E B L a versatile, compact fluorometer designed to as well. A CI perform cellular functional assays and in vitro A major roadblock to incorporating this tool R E M biochemical assays. The innovation will play an was the instrument’s massive size prohibiting its M CO important role in studying biological specimens’ deployment in the Space Station. With room long-term adaptation to microgravity. requirements of 20-to-60 cubic feet and a With results from previous experimental weight of several hundred pounds, the typical studies showing that space flight has a signifi- fluorometer exceeded the available space to cant impact on living cellular systems, NASA is conduct experiments. Another problem was that preparing the Life Science Research Facility on the instrument’s high power consumption might the ISS to open a new era in gravitational make it inoperable within the available power biology. Researchers at the space-based labora- resources, and could cause power spikes leading tory will study cell development, signal transduc- to possible interferences in equipment operation. The Cell Fluorescence Analysis System assists scientists conducting cell biology research on Earth and on the International Space Station. 58 HEALTH AND MEDICINE To solve these problems, NASA’s Ames Commercial applications for Ciencia’s tech- S Research Center awarded Ciencia a Small nology include diverse markets such as food F F O Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to safety, in situ environmental monitoring, online N PI develop a system that would address the size, process analysis, genomics and DNA chips, and —S S mass, and power constraints of using fluores- noninvasive diagnostics. Ciencia has a U.S. FIT E cence spectroscopy in the Life Science Research patent for its fluorescence lifetime sensing N E B Facility. Ciencia, successful in creating the CFAS technology and has licensed the technology to L A product to meet NASA’s needs, recently deliv- HTS Biosystems, of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, CI R E ered the product to Ames and is progressing for applications in high-throughput screening for M M with commercial sales. At Ames, researchers in drug discovery. Ciencia and HTS Biosystems are CO the bone and signaling laboratories plan to use jointly developing commercial products based on the CFAS to investigate the role of integrin and the technology, including a fluorescence lifetime extracellular matrix protein interactions in the microwell plate reader. mechanotransduction of forces induced by Ciencia has already sold the system to the hypergravity and hydrostatic pressure. “We are private sector for biosensor applications. looking forward to using the CFAS to develop Dr. Jerome Schultz, the director of the Center fluorescence resonance energy transfer and for Biotechnology and Bioengineering at the lifetime analysis assays for integrin clustering, an University of Pittsburgh, purchased Ciencia’s important step in cell adhesion and gravity fluorometer technology in the form of a mechanotransduction,” stated Dr. Eduardo minimally invasive fiber-optic glucose sensor. The Almeida, research scientist in the Ames Gravita- center, which has approximately 100 researchers tional Research Branch. “The CFAS represents covering the fields of biosensors, molecular an investment into future ISS analytical capabili- biology, gene therapy, and artificial organs, is ties that should enable cutting-edge spaceflight using the system for clinical applications. ❖ cell biology consistent with NASA’s vision to extend life into space,” explained Donald Vandendriesche, ISS cell culture unit lead and contracting officer’s technical representative for CFAS development. HEALTH AND MEDICINE 59