CCM Projects
STS-117 (Oct 2003).

The CCM-A will be used to support bio-artificial muscle studies by Dr. Vandenburg's team from Brown University. This will be Dr. Vandenburg's fourth flight utilizing CCM hardware.
The CCM rail design has been modularized for this flight, so that each flow path has its own supporting architecture. This promotes interchangeability and the user friendly nature of the hardware.
Two rail tests have been successfully performed at the Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI (10/2000, 11/2002) to validate hardware and biological sample compatibility.
A KC-135 reduced gravity flight series was completed (2/2001) to verify hardware performance in microgravity, with focus on biology-support modifications.


STS-93 (July 23, 1999, launch).

This was an exciting flight, due to the fact that Space Biosciences supported two payloads on the same mission.
  • The STL-B was used to support plant studies by Dr. Roux, an NIH funded scientist interested in the effects of microgravity on fern gametophyte germination. The STL-B's video microscopy capabilities enabled image downlink of the process in which the cells determined direction of route attachment in microgravity.
  • The CCM-C flew on its maiden hardware verification mission. The flight opportunity was maximized with innovative sensor and science integration. NASA Ames Research Center verified an in-line pH sensor, Dr. Arnold of the University of Iowa demonstrated a dissolved oxygen sensor, and the CCM team tested its own optical pH sensor. The sensors were integrated into experiment zones to measure important physiological characteristics of the science. The experiments included rat glioma cells and human lung fibroblasts in which gene expression will be investigated by Dr. Eugenia Wang of McGill University, and elastin heterografts in which wound repair will be studied by Dr. Gregory of the Oregon Medical Laser Center.
Sr. Engineer Peter Quinn
preparing the CCM-C
The CCM-A and STL-B in Shuttle Middeck

Sensor Demonstration and Development
Physiologic sensors are extremely useful tools for understanding and maintaining cell cultures in any environment - on earth or in space. Not only can they be used to fully describe a culture's needs, they can be used in feedback scenarios to optimize a culture's growth conditions and potentially reduce unnecessary use of materials. The following sensors are most useful for monitoring the dynamic cell culture environment:
  • pH
  • Glucose
  • Lactate
  • Dissolved Oxygen
The first step is to demonstrate and validate pertinent sensors that exist now. STS-93 marked the beginning of collaborations for which CCM engineers provided the platform for integration of sensors with science.
The CCM team is developing a stand-alone, non-invasive optical pH sensor for real-time monitoring of the cell culture environment. The prototype successfully flew on STS-93.

Bioreactor Development
The CCM has traditionally utilized hollow-fiber bioreactor technologies to support cell culture studies. Bioreactors have been customized by CCM engineers to meet the needs of the PI.

Dr. Vandenburg's muscle cell modified bioreactor
The CCM team has also taken the initiative to design an optically capable bioreactor which can also be customized to investigator specifications. For STS-117, a custom designed biochamber will be used to grow Dr. Vandenburg's bioartifical muscle organoids.

Optically capable bioreactor
Cell lines which have successfully grown in hollow-fiber or modified bioreactors include:
  • Human, rat, & chick embryo osteoblasts
  • Primary hamster & human lung fibroblasts
  • Stem cells
  • Skeletal myoblasts
  • Human colon carcinoma cells
  • Mesenchymal cells (cartilage)
  • Elastin heterografts
  • Bovine Aortic Endothelial Cells (BAEC)
  • Rat skeletal muscle cells (L8)
  • Rat glial tumor cells (C6)