Space Station Researchers Recognized for Innovation in Microgravity

    HOUSTON, TX, July 25, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The International Space Station provides researchers with a platform in microgravity where they can perform experiments and test technologies that will allow humans to travel farther into the solar system than ever before. Based on developments over the last few years from space station research, three of the most innovative applications were recognized at the fourth annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference July 7-9 at the Boston Marriott Copley Square in Boston, Massachusetts.

The conference was created to connect commercial and academic communities involved in new innovations, breakthroughs, and discoveries aboard humankind's unique orbiting laboratory. It is held in coordination with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the American Astronautical Society (AAS) and NASA.

The following are the winners in the Innovation category:

Dr. Mehran Anvari, chief executive officer and scientific director at the Centre for Surgical Invention and Innovation (CSii) in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, for Innovation in Biology and Medicine for his work on an Image-Guided Automated Robot (IGAR) for use in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Paul Reichert, associate principal scientist at Merck Research Laboratories in Kenilworth, New Jersey, for Innovation in Commercialization and Nongovernment Utilization for his work on protein crystal growth investigations that help advance scientific knowledge and lead to designing new therapeutics for diseases.

Jason Dunn, chief technology officer and co-founder of Made In Space, Inc., for Innovation in Technology Demonstration aboard the space station for his work to successfully test a 3-D printer in microgravity.

The technology used for IGAR was designed for use aboard the space station by MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). IGAR builds on the technology from computerized heavy lifters and maintenance performers for the space shuttle and space station CSA's Canadarm, Canadarm2 and Dextre.

In dealing with breast cancer, IGAR is expected to provide increased access, precision and dexterity, resulting in remarkably accurate and minimally invasive procedures.

IGAR is designed to work in combination with an MRI scanner, which is highly sensitive to early detection of suspicious breast lesions before they possibly turn into a larger problem. IGAR fits on the patient bed, so it can travel in and out of the MRI machine opening easily. This simplifies the flow of patients in the department, which can be challenging to many radiologists, and optimizes patient time to diagnose disease. Future commercial applications of the technology may evolve the IGAR system to diagnose and treat other cancers of the prostate, lung and kidney. Health Canada approved a Phase II clinical trial for IGAR, launched in December 2014.

"This is a nice recognition of almost 20 years of work," said Anvari. "It recognizes an incredible team of talented people including engineers, technicians, doctors and astronauts who have helped develop this technology. We believe this technology will improve efficiency in the health care system by streamlining clinical workflow and allowing highly-skilled radiologists to extend their care to a wider population through teleoperation."

With new therapeutics in clinical trials and advancing knowledge in the field of microgravity crystal growth, Reichert was selected as an innovator in the use of space station facilities for research that directly benefits people on Earth. Researchers have discovered that growing crystals aboard the space station allows for slower growth and higher-quality crystals. The award recognizes Merck, CASIS, NASA and University of Alabama (UAB) team members, including the astronaut corps from the earliest space shuttle missions to the current space station missions, who helped develop potential pharmaceutical applications for crystalline biologics medicines and the methods used for all the past, present and future microgravity experiments. The earlier space shuttle experiments led the way to the development of new applications for a new class of biopharmaceuticals (monoclonal antibodies).

"This research has the potential to improve the efficacy, safety and delivery of a new class of medicines known as monoclonal antibodies," said Reichert. "These new medicines can improve the wellness of those on Earth with such diseases as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and immunological disorders. I thank all the CASIS, NASA and UAB researchers and support staff and especially the astronauts for giving Merck the opportunity to produce unique high quality crystalline biologic medicines with applications for drug delivery, product development and manufacturing."

The 3-D Printing In Zero-G Technology Demonstration (3-D Printing In Zero-G), the first ever 3-D printer in space, adds the capability of additive manufacturing to the space station. With successful demonstrations of the printer, the potential now exists to manufacture parts quickly and cheaply in space, a critical enabling component for deep-space crewed missions and in-space manufacturing. Instead of waiting for a cargo delivery, astronauts could replace filters or faulty equipment simply by printing new parts. Researchers are gaining insight into improving 3-D printing technology on Earth by testing it in microgravity. This knowledge could help advance industry printing methods.

"Made In Space is very excited to accept this award as it highlights the hard work between the Made In Space and NASA teams to make the 3-D Print mission happen," said Dunn. "3-D printing technology developed for space has widespread benefit on Earth. The heart of our technology is incredibly efficient and reliable printing systems. The Made In Space 3-D printing platform illustrates how anyone case access space in a much faster and more affordable way than ever before."

The annual conference gathers researchers, NASA officials, and innovators together to detail the scope of research and technology development on the space station and to collaborate on future endeavors. An additional award category for the conference is the Most Compelling Results Award, which represents some of the most promising results that have come from space station research this year.

For more information on the annual ISS R&D Conference, visit the conference website: http://www.issconference.org, or watch a livestream of the conference at http://www.issconference.org/livestream.php.

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