ISS National Lab Flight Opportunity to be Awarded Based On the Vascular Tissue Challenge

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., June 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Based on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced partnership with the New Organ Alliance and Methuselah Foundation of the "Vascular Tissue Challenge," a NASA Centennial Challenges Program prize competition to advance tissue engineering technologies for space exploration, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) will offer a flight opportunity providing one investigative team access to conduct research in microgravity conditions to advance human disease research on Earth. This flight opportunity is also in partnership with the New Organ Alliance and Methuselah Foundation.

CASIS, which manages the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, will provide a winning team up to $200,000 in flight integration support costs, along with transportation to the ISS National Laboratory, support on station, and return of experimental samples to Earth. The flight opportunity will help develop a capability to understand tissue level effects of the microgravity environment and may provide a technology to help test countermeasures for radiation effects on human tissues. Microgravity has been shown to have potential benefits for understanding cell biology, materials, and microfluidics research that have the ability to accelerate tissue engineering technologies.

"The Vascular Tissue Challenge offers a great opportunity to advance this critical component of the tissue engineering field," said CASIS Senior Research Scientist Dr. Marc Giulianotti. "CASIS looks forward to supporting efforts to utilize the ISS National Laboratory and its unique environment to further advance the field of tissue engineering."

Information on how teams participating in the Vascular Tissue Challenge can submit ideas for a spaceflight experiment concept, including criteria for applicability, visit: https://www.neworgan.org/pdf/new_organ_vt_prize_rules.pdf (Page 7)

To learn more about the efforts of the New Organ Alliance and Methuselah Foundation, please visit:  www.neworgan.org/vtc-prize.php

About CASIS: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) was selected by NASA in July 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory through 2020. CASIS is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. For more information, visit www.iss-casis.org.

About the ISS National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the International Space Station as the nation's newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing STEM education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by other U.S. government agencies and by academic and private institutions, providing access to the permanent microgravity setting, vantage point in low Earth orbit, and varied environments of space.

Media Contact: Patrick O'Neill
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SOURCE Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS)

Related Links

http://www.iss-casis.org