Drug Development in Microgravity Research Conducted Aboard Atlantis' Last Mission

Space Shuttle Atlantis returned from the International Space Station (ISS), landing at the Kennedy Space Center (Houston, TX, USA) May 26, 2010, with the 10th scientific payload for a commercial biotech company conducting drug development research.

Astrogenetix (Austin, TX, USA), is conducting research on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as part of the ISS [U.S.] National Laboratory Pathfinder Vaccine (NLP-V) missions. "By removing a force as fundamental as gravity in the course of this research, we're witnessing bacteria grow in ways that have not been demonstrated on Earth,” said John Porter, chief executive officer of Astrogenetix. "The use of microgravity as a new research platform will bring meaningful advancements in drug discovery and development, and we believe this early vaccine work is just the beginning.”

The company is utilizing the unique conditions of microgravity to reveal changes in bacteria, which can be targeted to create new vaccines and therapeutics. Astrogenetix has identified target genes for MRSA virulence by growing the bacteria in the microgravity environment during previous NLP-V. The company is conducting controls on this flight to validate earlier research by sending up several different strains of the bacteria, which were genetically modified to remove target genes that are believed to be associated with virulence of this organism. Moreover, the company is bringing back live forms of the bacteria that were grown in microgravity to compare to ground-based samples of the bacteria. The scientists will perform postflight analysis on the microbes to evaluate the changes that occurred on this mission.

"Each flight opportunity allows us to learn more about the bacteria and the changes that are occurring as they grow in space,” added Dr. Jeanne Becker, chief science officer for Astrogenetix. "The knowledge we're gaining can be applied to streamline and accelerate the development of vaccines and therapeutics on Earth.”

MRSA is a type of bacteria that is not responsive to commonly used antibiotics. In the United States alone, MRSA is responsible for 100,000 cases of severe infections and more than 19,000 deaths yearly. In the past 10 years, infection and mortality due to this organism has increased significantly, exceeding the death rate for HIV.

A subsidiary of Astrotech Corp., Astrogenetix, Inc. is a biotechnology company formed to commercialize biotechnology products processed in the unique environment of microgravity.

Related Links:
Autogenetix
International Space Station National Laboratory Pathfinder Vaccine