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2017 Tissue Chips in Space Projects

In June 2017, NCATS funded five institutions, in collaboration with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, to develop tissue chips to advance novel technologies to improve human health here on Earth. The initial two-year projects are part of a four-year collaboration to use tissue chip technology for translational research onboard the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory.

Learn more about the 2017 awarded projects:

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Lung Host Defense in Microgravity

Principal Investigators: George Scott Worthen, M.D., and Dongeun Huh, M.D. 
Implementation Partners: Space Technology and Advanced Research Systems, Inc., SpacePharma, Inc., and University of Pennsylvania 
Grant Number: 1-UG3-TR-002198-01

First Flight: May 4, 2019

Emulate, Inc., Boston

Organs-on-Chips as a Platform for Studying Effects of Microgravity on Human Physiology: Blood-Brain-Barrier-Chip in Health and Disease

Principal Investigators: Christopher D. Hinojosa, Emulate, Inc., and Katia P. Karalis, D.S., M.D., Children’s Hospital Boston 
Implementation Partner: Space Tango, Inc. 
Grant Number: 1-UG3-TR-002188-01

First Flight: May 4, 2019    
Second Flight: December 21, 2021

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge

Cartilage-Bone-Synovium Microphysiological System: Musculoskeletal Disease Biology in Space

Principal Investigators: Alan J. Grodzinsky, Sc.D., M.S., and Murat Cirit, Ph.D. 
Implementation Partner: Techshot, Inc. 
Grant Number: 1-UG3-TR-002186-01

First Flight: May 4, 2019    
Second Flight: Dec. 6, 2020

University of California, San Francisco

Microgravity as Model for Immunological Senescence and its Impact on Tissue Stem Cells and Regeneration

Principal Investigators: Sonja Schrepfer, M.D., Ph.D., Tobias Deuse, M.D., and Heath J. Mills, Ph.D. 
Implementation Partner: Space Technology and Advanced Research Systems, Inc. 
Grant Number: 1-UG3-TR-002192-01

First Flight: Dec. 5, 2018    
Second Flight: July 14, 2022

University of Washington, Seattle

Effects of Microgravity on the Structure and Function of Proximal and Distal Tubule Microphysiological System

Principal Investigators: Jonathan Himmelfarb, M.D., and Edward J. Kelly, M.S., Ph.D. 
Implementation Partner: BioServe Space Technologies 
Grant Number: 1-UG3-TR-002178-01

First Flight: May 4, 2019    
Second Flight: June 3, 2021

Last updated on November 8, 2023