CCM Projects
STS-131 (no earlier than Mar 2010).

The CCM-A is manifested on STS-131. Principal investigator selection is underway.


STS-118 (Aug 2007).

The CCM-A configuration was flown supporting immune-response and wound-healing cell culture models.
The immune response investigation examined the response of human immune cells in microgravity to new chitosan-based antibacterials. Human monocytes were exposed to endotoxin in-flight, with subsequent exposure to Chitosan-arginine. The novel antibacterial substantially prevented cell death due to immunde stress.
The wound healing investigation was directed at the use of adipose derived adult stem cells for use in injury repair, and how microgravity alters new blood vessel development, a key component of wound and tissue repair. Cell viability was maintained throughout the experiment duration, but primary proliferation was decreased. Insight into environmental variables that affect adipose derived cell viability and proliferation provided a significant foundation for the design of future experiments incorporating perfusion-based three-dimensional models of cell behavior, microvascular biology, and would repair.


KC-135 Microgravity Studies (Feb 2001).

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 1999).

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 was investigated by Dr. Eugenia Wang of McGill University, and elastin heterografts in which wound repair was 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

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 designed an optically capable bioreactor which can be customized to investigator specifications. For STS-118, a custom designed biochamber was used to grow rat adipose-derived stromal cells.

Custom bioreactor with muscle organoids
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)
  • Human monocytes (THP-1, ATCC# TIB-202)