Cellular Dynamics International Sends Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes To International Space Station On NASA Resupply Mission

MADISON, Wis., Dec. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellular Dynamics International (CDI), a FUJIFILM company, the leading developer and manufacturer of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiated tissue-specific iPSC-cells, announced that its iCell® Cardiomyocytes were launched into space via SpaceX's 13th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station on Dec.15, 2017. The purpose of the scientific research project utilizing CDI's iCell Cardiomyocytes in space is to validate the function of NASA's new Bioculture System for automated cell culture on the International Space Station and to study human cardiac cell function in microgravity.

"We are thrilled that CDI and its iPSC technology are part of the groundbreaking research on cell function in microgravity environment," said Dr. Bruce Novich, Division President-CNBD for FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation and Division President – Life Sciences for CDI. "The scientific investigation using our iCell Cardiomyocytes and the native cell biology they provide, will generate a greater understanding of the potential effects space exploration may have on human biology."

Developed and manufactured by CDI, iCell Cardiomyocytes are derived from human iPSCs and recapitulate many of the salient features of native healthy and disease-related human cardiac function, including electrical activity, calcium cycling, contraction, as well as normal and pathological responses to environmental changes.

For more information on CDI please visit: https://cellulardynamics.com/.

For more information NASA's Bioculture System please visit: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/1125.html

About the Bioculture System
Life functions differently in space, and biologists can learn a lot about how this impacts human health by studying cells grown in the microgravity environment, or "weightlessness," of the International Space Station. The Bioculture System is a new research facility for the orbiting laboratory that will let scientists carry out long-term cell biology studies, on a broad range of subjects and diverse cell and tissue types. This new hardware will allow for real-time remote monitoring of cell cultures, and finer control over the conditions in which they grow.

The first mission to use it, called Cell Science Validation, will fully test the system's complex engineering and life support capabilities, to make sure it can function properly in microgravity and successfully grow a variety of cells, like bone and heart cells in this experiment, on the space station. Once the initial validation is complete, the facility will be available for use by the broad scientific community for exciting, new advanced research, from fundamental cell biology, to drug discovery, microbiology, and tissue engineering.

About Cellular Dynamics International:
Cellular Dynamics International (CDI), a FUJIFILM company, is a leading developer and supplier of human cells used in drug discovery, toxicity testing, and regenerative medicine applications. Leveraging technology that can be used to create induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiated tissue-specific cells from any individual, CDI is committed to advancing life science research and transforming the therapeutic development process in order to fundamentally improve human health. The company's inventoried iCell® products and donor-specific MyCell® Products are available in the quantity, quality, purity, and reproducibility required for drug and cell therapy development. For more information please visit www.cellulardynamics.com.

About Fujifilm
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including: healthcare, with medical systems, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics; graphic systems; highly functional materials, such as flat panel display materials; optical devices, such as broadcast and cinema lenses; digital imaging; and document products. These are based on a vast portfolio of chemical, mechanical, optical, electronic, software and production technologies.  In the year ended March 31, 2017, the company had global revenues of $20.7 billion, at an exchange rate of 112 yen to the dollar. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit: www.fujifilmholdings.com

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SOURCE Fujifilm