National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Small Business Innovation Research 2001 Program Solicitation

TOPIC B2 Fundamental Space Biology

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B2.01 Understanding and Utilizing Gravitational Effects on Plants and Animals
B2.02 Biological Instrumentation
B2.03 Understanding and Utilizing Gravitational Effects on Molecular Biology and for Medical Applications

Fundamental Biology (FB) is NASA's agency-wide program for the study of fundamental biological processes through space flight and ground-based research. The program has three primary goals: (1) Effectively use the micro-gravity and other unique characteristics of the space environment to enhance our understanding of fundamental biological processes (2) Develop the scientific and technological foundations for a safe, productive human presence in space for extended periods and in preparation for further exploration (3) Apply this knowledge and technology to improve our nation's competitiveness, education, and the quality of life on Earth. Increased emphasis is placed on cell and molecular biology and developmental biology, as well as on the growing disciplines of evolutionary biology and genomics. FB will participate in the expanded range of space missions the Agency will undertake in the future. These include the International Space Station, planetary probes, surface studies, sample returns, and planetary bases. The Biological and Physical Research Enterprise also seeks to engage the commercial sector in exploiting the economic benefits of fundamental space biology on Earth.

B2.01 Understanding and Utilizing Gravitational Effects on Plants and Animals
Lead Center: ARC
Participating Center(s): KSC

This subtopic area focuses on technologies that support the NASA Fundamental Biology Program in understanding the effects of gravity on plants and animals. The program supports investigations into the ways in which fundamental biological processes function in space, compared to their function on the ground. To conduct these investigations, the program supports both ground and space flight research. The improved understanding of the role of gravity on plants requires innovative support equipment for observing, measuring, and manipulating the responses of plants to environmental variables. Areas of innovative technology development include:

• Measuring the atmospheric and radiation environment and optimizing the lighting and nutrient delivery systems for plants.
• Innovative technologies for storage, transportation, maintenance, and in situ analyses of seeds and growing plants.
• Sensors with low power requirements and low mass to monitor the atmosphere and water (nutrient) environment, as well as automated control and data logging systems for the experiment containers to measure performance indicators, such as respiration (whole plant, shoot, root), evapotranspiration, photosynthesis, and other variables in plants.
• Data analysis and control.
• Modular seeding and/or planting units to minimize labor.
• Sensors for atmospheric, liquid and solid analyses, including atmospheric and liquid contaminants such as ethylene and other biogenic compounds as well as analyses of hydroponic and solid media for N, P, K, Cu, Mg and micronutrients.
• Remote sensors to identify biological stress.
• Expert control systems for environmental chambers.

The improved understanding of the role of gravity on animals requires innovative instrumentation which tracks and analyzes from organism development, including gametogenesis through fertilization, embryonic development and maturation, through ecological system stability. Technologies may incorporate a variety of processes such as metabolism and metabolic control, through genetic expression and the control of development. Of particular interest are technologies that require minimal power and can non-invasively measure physical, chemical, metabolical and development parameters. Such measurements will ultimately be made in environments at one or more of several gravity ranges, e.g., "microgravity" (.01 to .000001 g), "planetary" gravity (1 g (Earth); 0.38 g (Mars) or 0.12 g (Moon)) or hypergravity (up to 2 g). But, refined and stable measurements are as important as gravity independence. Of interest are sustained instrument sensitivity, accuracy and stability, and reductions in the need for frequent measurement standardization. Parameters requiring measurement include pH, temperature, pressure, ionic strength, gas concentration (O₂, CO₂, CO, NO₂, etc.), and solute concentration (e.g., Na+, K+, Ca₂+, Mg₂+, SO₄ 2-, Cl-, PO₄ 3-, etc.). In the case of new techniques and instruments, a clear path toward miniaturization, reduction in power demands and increased space worthiness should be identified. Interests applicable to plant, microorganism, and animal study applications include:

• Expert data management systems
• Capabilities for specimen storage, manipulation and dissection
• Video-image analysis for specimen (cell, animal, plant) health and maintenance
• Sensors for primary environmental parameters and microbial organisms
• Electro-physiology sensors, biotelemetry systems and biological monitors carried on spacecraft
  

B2.02 Biological Instrumentation
Lead Center: ARC
Participating Center(s): None

The Fundamental Biology Program (FB) is the Agency lead for biological research and biological instrumentation/technology development, and focuses on research designed to develop our understanding of the role of gravity in the evolution, development, and function of biological processes. Increasingly the research thrusts are directed at incorporating the most advanced technologies from the fields of cell and molecular biology, genomics, and biotechnology, to provide researchers with the most-up-to-date methods to conduct their biological research. For these requirements, the capability to perform autonomous, in situ acquisition, preparation and analysis of samples to determine the presence and composition of biological components is a highly desired objective. As the size of flight payloads becomes increasingly smaller, and information technologies permit smarter and more independent payload and device control and management, the realization of completely autonomous in situ biological laboratories (ISBL) on spacecraft platforms and planetary surfaces will become more desirable.

Biological and biomolecular/microbiological /genomic research is enabling unprecedented insight into the structure and function of cells, organisms, and sub-cellular components and elements, and a window into the inner workings and machinations of living things. Techniques and technologies, which have evolved from the microelectronics and biological revolutions, have permitted the emergence of a new class of instruments and devices. Many devices, techniques and products are now available or emerging which allow measurement, imaging, analysis and interpretation of the biological composition at the molecular level, and which permit determination of DNA/RNA and other analytes of interest. Advances in information systems and technologies, and bioinformatics, provide the capability to understand, simulate, and interpret the large amounts of complex data being made available from these biological-physical hybrid systems. These synergistic relationships are facilitating the development of revolutionary technologies in many areas.

Biological instrumentation technologies to support FB objectives are grouped into the following solicited categories:

• Biological sample management and handling - Technologies for remote, automated biosample and biospecimen collection, handling, preservation/fixation, and processing. Modular, embeddable systems and subsystems capable of supporting a variety of tissue, liquid, and/or cellular specimens, from a wide range of biological subjects, including cells, nematodes, plants, fish, avians, mice, rats, and humans.
• In situ measurement and control - Technology development for in sensors, signal processors, biotelemetry systems, sample management and handling systems, and other instruments and platforms for real-time monitoring and characterization of biological and physiological phenomena.
• Genomics technologies - Technologies to enhance and augment research in genomics, proteomics, cell and molecular biology, including molecular and nano-technologies, cDNA arrays, gene array technologies, and cell culture and related habitat systems.
• Bio-imaging systems - Advanced, real-time capabilities for visualization, imaging, and optical characterization of biological systems. Technologies include multi-dimensional fluorescent microscopy, spectroscopy systems, and multi- and hyperspectral imaging.
• Biological information processing- Capability for automated acquisition, processing, analysis, communication, and archival and retrieval of biological data, and interface/transfer to advanced bioinformatics and biocomputation systems.
• Integrated biological research systems and subsystems- Integrated, experiment/subject specific biolaboratory modules and systems, providing complete flight prototype capability to support the above five categories.
  

B2.03 Understanding and Utilizing Gravitational Effects on Molecular Biology and for Medical Applications
Lead Center: JSC
Participating Center(s): ARC

Microgravity allows unique studies of the effects of gravitational effects on cell and tissue development and behavior. These studies utilize novel and advanced technologies to culture and nurture cells and tissues. Additionally, the ability to manipulate and/or exploit the form and function of living cells and tissues has significant potential to enhance the quality of life on Earth and in space through novel products and services, as well as through new science knowledge generated and communicated. This capability may lead to new products and services for medicine and biology. Current space research includes new methods for purification of living cells; development of space bioreactors for culture of fragile cells that have applications in biomedical and cancer research; tissue engineering systems which take advantage of microgravity to grow 3-D tissue constructs; testing the effectiveness of drugs and biomodulators on growth and physiology of normal and transformed cells, and methods for measuring specific cellular and systemic immune functions of persons under physiological stress. Biotechnology research systems also are being developed for micro-g research on the International Space Station.

Specific areas of interest for technology innovation are:

• Techniques and technologies for culturing mammalian cells in bioreactors, including advanced bioreactor designs and support systems, miniature sensors for measurement of pH, oxygen, carbon-dioxide, glucose, metabolites, and microprocessor controllers.
• Instrumentation for separation and purification of living cells, proteins and biomaterials, especially those using electrokinetic or magnetic fields that obviate thermal convection and sedimentation, enhance phase partitioning, or use laser light and other force fields to manipulate target cells or biomaterials.
• Techniques or apparatus for macro-molecular assembly of biological membranes, bio-polymers, and molecular bio-processing systems; bio-compatible materials, devices, and sensors for implantable medical applications including molecular diagnostics, in vivo physiological monitoring and microprocessor control of prosthetic devices.
• Methods and apparatus which allow microscopic imaging and biophysical measurements of cell functions, effects of electric or magnetic fields, photoactivation, and testing of drugs or biocompatible polymers on live tissues.
• Quantitative applications of molecular biology, fluorescence image and flow cytometry, and new methods for measurement of cell metabolism, cytogenetics, immune cell functions, DNA, RNA, oglionuceotides, intracellular proteins, secretory products, and cytokine or other cell surface receptors.
• Micro-encapsulation of drugs, radiocontrast agents, crystals, and development of novel drug delivery systems wherein immiscible liquid interactions, electrostatic coating methods, and drug release kinetics from microcapsules or liposomes can be altered under microgravity to better understand and improve manufacturing processes on Earth. This includes production technologies for improving the controlled release from transdermal drug devices, ionaphoresis, controlled hyperthermia and new drug delivery systems for inhalation and intranasal administration. Also microencapsulation of cells for transplantation into patients.
• Miniature bioprocessing systems which allow for precise control of multiple environmental parameters such as low level fluid shear, thermal, pH, conductivity, external electromagnetic fields and narrow-band light for fluorescence or photoactivation of biological systems.
• Low-temperature sample storage (-80° C) and biological sample preservation instrumentation.

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