Page 144 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

says Principal Investigator Edwin Goodwin, one of damage long after that damage occurred. In addition
the founders of KromaTiD. to monitoring DNA damage in astronauts after they
Other potential applications include screening cancer return from space, the technology could be useful in
cells for previously undetected inversions that played professions that may expose personnel to radiation or
a role in causing the cancer. Identification of these new, other potential cancer-causing agents. The painting
cancer-specific inversions may lead to better diagnostic technique also may lead to the discovery of inversions
and prognostic tests and, eventually, drug targeting. associated with other diseases and autism. That would
Other possibilities include clinical cytogenetics and be a pretty picture, indeed.
biomedical research such as studies of cancer
induction, radiation effects and chemical toxicology.
The technology also could evaluate radiation exposure Sensor Technologies for High-pressure
occurring accidentally or from a terrorist attack. Jobs and Operations
Researchers continue to develop the next generation Novel sensor technologies used within the joint
of chromatid paints, using a faster, more cost-effective Thermolab experiment (2009-2012) of German
approach. Ultimately, multi-color chromatid paints can Aerospace Center Deutschen Zentrum für Luft und
cover the entire genome, thereby providing identification Raumfahrt (DLR)/European Space Agency (ESA)
of translocations and simultaneous and sensitive have been used for improving our understanding of
detection of inversions. Next-generation chromatid thermal regulation of astronauts in space. These sensor
paints offer higher resolution than currently possible, technologies also hold great potential and benefits for
B4H 3rd Edition use within many different critical areas from firefighting
thus greatly expanding potential applications.
to recognizing exhaustion or early overheating. In fact,
Inversions are highly stable in an individual’s cells and the sensor is currently used in hospitals for monitoring
therefore can also serve as biomarkers of previous during surgeries and on intensive care units.
Thermal regulation in the body is vital for our well-being.
Our vital organs are kept at a constant temperature
of 37°C (98.6°F) whether it is the middle of a freezing
winter or on a hot sunny beach. Any disturbance to
this stasis can cause symptoms such as physical and
NASA Twins Study mental fatigue or, in the extreme, fatal effects on how
Used to Validate the body functions under conditions such as heat
Chromosomal stroke and hypothermia. Heat stress is of particular
Painting Technology and growing concern in various occupational settings.
Economic
Scientific
Biotechnology company KromaTid was initially A World Health Organization scientific group on health
factors concluded that “it is inadvisable for deep
Valuation
funded via two grants, totaling $700,000, body temperature to exceed 38°C in prolonged daily
Valuation
sponsored by NASA’s Human Research exposure to heavy work.”
Program. The grants were intended to mature
SCIENTIFIC
ECONOMIC
technology for analysis of lymphocytes obtained
VALUATION
VALUATION
from astronauts to improve space radiation risk
analysis. As part of the validation for its
chromosomal inversion technology, the On Earth, firefighters, jet pilots,
company’s chromatid painting system was miners, steel workers, soldiers
used in the high-profile NASA International in combat, divers, mountaineers,
Space Station twin study in 2015. As of 2018,
KromaTiD has raised $8.35 million, been polar explorers, marine
granted three US patents, published four fishermen, and all who work
scientific papers, and launched distribution
partnerships with Tokyo Future Style and in extreme conditions
Tebu-Bio in Japan and Europe, respectively. could benefit from the new
Human Earth Observation Innovative Global Economic
measurement technology.
Health and Disaster Technology Education Development
Response of Space

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