Page 23 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

Research Laboratory have already used
the BioOptoSense algorithm.
The remote detection algorithm employed by …the ISS has provided a unique
BioOptoSense is just beginning to enter the venue for exploring the nature
marketplace and build a customer base. of fluidics, leading to dozens
Thus, it is a good example of a potential benefit.
The following section will provide additional of scientific publications and
examples of how Earth observation data sets multiple patents.
are generating concrete value now.

Nanofluidics
The path from basic science investigations to applied
application can take many turns. In April 2004, the Dr. Grattoni’s group to conduct a drug delivery fluidics
first Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE) was conducted investigation (RR-6) aboard the ISS in fall of 2017.
onboard the ISS to investigate capillary flows and RR-6 tests the performance of an implantable
flows of fluids in containers with complex geometries. nanochannel system for delivery of therapeutics
The work began as fundamental fluid physics that are specifically for muscle atrophy.
investigations led by Mark Weislogel. These investi- Following his two previous investigations onboard
gations led to patents that involve multiphase fluidics the ISS, Dr. Grattoni signed on as one of three principal
in technology applications associated with space investigators involved in an ISS experiment on lung
exploration such as thermal control systems tissue titled, The Effect of Microgravity on Stem Cell
and liquid fuel tanks. However, the fundamental Mediated Recellularization, which was completed
equations for capillary flow have broad applications in early 2018. Overall, research conducted by
in the area of microfluidics. Since then, the ISS has Dr. Grattoni’s group at HMRI has led to nine patents
provided a unique venue for exploring the nature of and 21 scientific publications, as well as two highly
fluidics, leading to dozens of scientific publications cited literature reviews on nanochannel drug delivery
and multiple patents. systems. Although many hurdles must be overcome
Dr. Alessandro Grattoni of the Houston Methodist on the road to concrete benefits, the many emerging
Research Institute (HMRI) spearheaded one set of ISS applications of Dr. Grattoni’s work, for which the ISS
investigations focusing on using nanofluidics to create has served as a catalyst, illustrate how basic research
a new and novel drug delivery mechanism. Based on can lead to multiple emerging applications.
research done on the ISS and additional research The examples above serve to illustrate the breadth
conducted in his labs, Dr. Grattoni and his team of new knowledge generated aboard the space station,
received nearly $4 million from the National Institute and the corresponding potential economic benefits
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2016 to study that may be derived. They also illustrate different ways
a transcutaneously refillable implant that administers that potential benefits can emerge from research and
pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs to subjects at risk of technology development (R&D) activities onboard
HIV. The experiment was successfully completed and the ISS. Fundamental research such as FLEX and
the implant, which was developed in partnership with CFE generate new knowledge with a broad range
Gilead, could be approved for usage as early as 2021. of potential uses. Follow-up activities, such as the
In 2014 and 2015, Novartis successfully conducted nanochannel drug delivery work, validate specific
the Rodent Research (RR)-1 and the follow-up applications and demonstrate potential new products.
RR-2 investigations, which investigated muscle Next, examples of maturing products and concrete
atrophy and bone mineral loss in the microgravity benefits arising from potential applications will
environment. Novartis partnered with HMRI and be discussed.

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