Texas Tech University

When NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on Sept. 28, one of the ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations included a student-led project designed to investigate the consequences of radiation and the space environment on gene-editing mechanisms. In a statement, the ISS National Laboratory said that data from the project, led by principal investigator Isabel Jiang, may help to develop techniques that more effectively protect astronauts and potentially clarify the genetic risks for some diseases during space travel. Four investigations funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) will take place on an impending commercial resupply services mission that will include a joint project from Oregon State University and Texas Tech University targeting cardiac health. The experiment will use "3D-bioprinted cardiac organoids to study microgravity-induced atrophy on heart muscle cells," the ISS National Lab said in a statement. According to NIH's National Library of Medicine, cardiac organoids are in vitro self-organizing three-dimensional structures composed of multiple cardiac cells, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and cardiac fibroblasts, with or without biological scaffolds. Researchers hope that data from the investigation might lead to increased understanding of heart muscle atrophy, which could be present in cancer, muscle disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes sepsis and heart failure. In addition, several NASA-funded projects sponsored by the ISS will center on in-space manufacturing, including a study by Sachi Bioworks in a partnership with Space Tango. The investigation will use brain organoids in microgravity to test the outcome of a novel drug on three neurodegenerative conditions: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Investigators will examine the results to see if they could help advance the expansion of new therapeutics for patients on planet earth. THE LARGER TREND In August, the ISS National Lab and NASA announced the National Lab Research Announcement (NLRA), which will provide up to $4 million spread out over two to three awards for projects that leverage the space environment and technology to develop therapies for diseases on Earth. In 2023, NASA sent four astronauts to the ISS on a six-month science expedition to conduct research designed to improve healthcare options on Earth. In 2022, four astronauts went to the ISS as part of SpaceX's 5th Commercial Crew mission where they brought multiple research investigations sponsored by the ISS National Lab.

During NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the space station, the crew will support dozens of projects sponsored by the ISS National Lab to benefit life on Earth through space-based research CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Sept. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new five-month expedition begins when NASA's ninth rotational crew mission (Crew-9) launches to the International Space Station (ISS) to conduct a variety of scientific investigations, including many sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory®. Crew-9, which is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station no earlier than Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 1:17 p.m. EDT. NASA astronaut Nick Hague (commander) will join Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov (mission specialist) for the flight on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft named "Freedom." Once on station, the full ISS crew will support hundreds of experiments across many scientific disciplines to advance fundamental and applied science and test new technology to benefit humanity. Below are some of the ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations the crew will support: A student-led project launching on the Crew-9 mission will investigate the effects of radiation and the space environment on gene editing mechanisms. Results could help develop methods to better protect astronauts and could shed light on genetic risks for certain diseases during spaceflight. The principal investigator, Isabel Jiang, is a recent high school graduate from Hillsborough, CA, who is in her first year as a student at Yale University. She was awarded the opportunity to launch her research to the space station after being named the 2023 winner of the Genes in Space student research competition, founded by Boeing and miniPCR bio and supported by the ISS National Lab and New England BioLabs. Also flying on the Crew-9 mission an investigation from the U.S. Air Force Academy and Rhodium Scientific will study the root growth of Arabidopsis plants, a member of the mustard plant family, at two different orbital altitudes. Plants grown on the space station in low Earth orbit (LEO) for four to six days will be compared with plants grown on the recent Polaris Dawn mission, which flew at a higher Earth orbit for about the same amount of time. Results could provide insights into the production of crops on long-duration space missions or in higher-radiation environments. The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding four investigations launching on an upcoming Commercial Resupply Services mission, including a collaborative project from Oregon State University and Texas Tech University focused on cardiac health. This experiment will use 3D-bioprinted cardiac organoids to study microgravity-induced atrophy on heart muscle cells. Results could lead to increased understanding of heart muscle atrophy, which occurs in several conditions, such as cancer, muscle disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, sepsis, and heart failure. Multiple projects sponsored by the ISS National Lab and funded by NASA will focus on in-space manufacturing. One investigation by Sachi Bioworks (in collaboration with Space Tango) will use brain organoids in microgravity to test the effects of a novel drug on three neurodegenerative conditions—Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and dementia. Results could help advance the development of new therapeutics for patients on Earth. On an upcoming Commercial Resupply Services mission, the Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology is launching a project (with support from Nanoracks) to test a heatless method of welding. Heatless welding could one day be used to safely repair space platforms and ensure their long-term viability, which would help to address the growing concern of space debris. The ASTROBEAT experiment will test remote-operated, cold-welding to apply metal patches to simulated spacecraft hull samples. Cold-welding is a process that bonds similar metallic materials using force or pressure instead of heat. Over the coming weeks, additional information on ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations launching on future Commercial Resupply Services missions will be made available. To learn more about the research and technology development sponsored by the ISS National Lab, including how to propose concepts for future space-based research, visit our website. Download a high-resolution image for this release: NASA's Crew-9 countdown clock About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory: The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (CASIS™) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page. SOURCE International Space Station National Lab WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

ARLINGTON, Texas, Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioNTX is pleased to announce the finalists for the 3rd Annual Tech Transfer Showcase, set for Friday, October 4th, at the 2024 iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit. The Tech Transfer Showcase shines the spotlight on life science innovation that may be sitting on the shelf and strengthens the development of future leaders and entrepreneurs. This program is designed to assist academic institutions in presenting technologies available for licensing, collaboration and acquisition. The goal of the Tech Transfer Showcase is to connect Texas based academic institutions with Texas-based investors and industry executives that can help provide valuable insight into commercial readiness, market fit, business models, strategic partnerships, and commercial viability of all technologies. The 2024 competition was open to all Texas Universities. After submission, a panel of experienced judges reviews each university’s featured technology and selects the top six finalists to advance to the pitch showcase at the BioNTX annual Summit. In 2024, BioNTX has seen a 50% increase in applicants for this opportunity. A panel of knowledgeable judges have selected the top six finalists to advance to the pitch event at the iC³ Summit. The 2024 Tech Transfer Showcase finalists are: Baylor UniversityRice UniversityTexas Tech UniversityThe University of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at DallasThe University of Texas Medical Branch “BioNTX is proud to provide a platform for university faculty and inventors to test their technology and receive expert guidance for the commercialization of their innovation,” reports Kathleen Otto, CEO, BioNTX. Each finalist will collaborate with a Tech Transfer judge to refine their pitch and will present their technology at the iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit for a chance to win a cash prize. “The BioNTX Tech Transfer Showcase is a perfect opportunity to get a glimpse into early-stage technologies coming out of the top universities in Texas. As a mentor and judge, it is very rewarding to see the progression and growth of the presenter and their pitches throughout the process,” said Chad Ronholdt, Co-founder, CEO of ASC Biosciences and Managing Director of NVB Ventures. Paul J. Corson, Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer for the University of Texas at Arlington, is the moderator of the Tech Transfer Office Showcase and Pitch Competition at the iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit on Friday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Corson states, “North Texas is a great place for life science startups, as evidenced by the amazing work I see at UT Arlington every day.” The Tech Transfer winner will be announced after the showcase and pitch competition at the Summit. To register for the 2024 iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit, please click here. About the 2024 iC3 Life Science SummitThe 10th Annual BioNTX iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit brings together the community and North Texas bioscience and healthcare innovation leaders for a two-day event from Thursday, October 3rd – Friday, October 4th. The iC³ Summit fosters collaboration between thought leaders, knowledge exchange, and explores the latest innovation, products, and services in the life sciences. We invite you to register for the 2024 iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit, please click here. About BioNTXBioNTX is the bioscience and healthcare innovation trade organization serving North Texas. The organization fosters innovation and community through collaborative networking events, high-level educational programming, professional development, market visibility, a purchasing consortium, and by being the voice for the North Texas biosciences and healthcare innovation community. Media Contact: Allison ChaneyCulver Public Relationsallison@culverpr.com