Page 143 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

B4H 3rd Edition

Abnormal changes in chromosomes, including
types called translocations and inversions, can have
profound genetic effects, such as disrupting regulatory
Robotics Help Bring sequences that control gene expression. Ionizing
Eye Surgery into radiation is known to induce these chromosome
Greater Focus aberrations, which also play a role in triggering
cancer. The exposure of astronauts to space radiation
More than 2000 Chronos
Economic
Scientific
Eye-Tracking Devices were sold to clinics and makes detecting such changes an important part of
maintaining their health.
Valuation
Valuation
hospitals between 2004 and 2014, and around
30 to 40 leading laboratories for vestibular Chromosomal inversions in particular, especially small
research and neurology have used, or are still ones, have been historically difficult if not impossible
ECONOMIC
SCIENTIFIC
using, the system to perform ground-based to detect. With funding from NASA, KromaTiD Inc.
VALUATION
VALUATION
studies. During the active marketing phase, successfully demonstrated detection of these small
the technology accounted for 40% to 60% of chromosomal inversions using a technology called
company turnover and generated $15 million chromatid painting. A NASA Human Research
investigation, Chromatid Paints, demonstrated
in turnover overall. Chronos Vision is now use of the technology to highlight certain areas of
developing a new application in which the a chromosome by using increased resolution to more
experience from the eye tracker technique is precisely detect structural changes over time in those
an important feature that is primarily aimed at on extended missions in space. It works for the
eye lens replacement procedures (e.g., during general population on Earth as well.
cataract surgery). The primary focus is guided
surgery for personalized (i.e., toric) lenses, The chromatid paint approach increases sensitivity
which are an improvement on standard of chromosome analysis by adding a new class of
observable aberrations.
Human Earth Observation Innovative Global Economic
intraocular lenses, by taking into account
Although some large detectable chromosome
Health and Disaster Technology Education Development
the aspheric nature of the cornea.
Response inversions have known association with certain
of Space
cancers, adequate investigation of these cancer-
specific chromosomal inversions is currently not
possible. This means many such inversions, especially
small ones, likely remain undiscovered. Small inversions
are likely to be among the most common and most
complex and spatial perception relying on gravity stable chromosome aberrations created by charged
as a reference for orientation. particle radiation exposure. The chromatid paint
The engineers realized the device had potential for technique therefore could contribute to risk analysis
applications on Earth in parallel with its use on the by revealing, for the first time, these small and
space station. Tracking the eye’s position without previously cryptic (i.e., hard to find) yet predictable
interfering with the surgeon’s work is essential in laser cancer-related inversions.
surgery. The space technology proved ideal, and the “We expect that chromatid paints will fulfill multiple
Eye Tracking Device equipment is now being used in needs in several fields related to human health,”
a large portion of corrective laser surgeries throughout
the world. A commercially available version has been
delivered to several research laboratories in Europe
and North America for ground-based studies.
The chromatid paint approach
increases sensitivity of
The Art—and Science—of Detecting
Chromosome Damage chromosome analysis by
Art meets science in a technique that highlights adding a new class of
or paints certain areas of a chromosome to detect observable aberrations.
damage. These paintings could help protect the
health of astronauts in space.

129