May 27, 2025   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

Research Payloads to Support Long-Duration Spaceflight and Improve Osteoarthritis and Cancer Treatment Return From Space Station

NASA's latest SpaceX resupply mission to the space station returns with ISS National Lab-sponsored projects advancing biomedical R&D, technology development, and physical sciences

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ELVIS is back. Samples from the Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System (ELVIS)--a new holographic microscope--have returned from the International Space Station (ISS). The samples splashed down off the coast of California alongside more than two dozen other investigations sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory®. Experiments returning on SpaceX's 32nd commercial resupply services mission for NASA include a project to manufacture nanomaterials in space to treat osteoarthritis and cancer on Earth and several investigations funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).

These are a few highlights of the investigations that returned to Earth for further study to benefit humanity:

    --  Using innovative holographic technology, ELVIS delivers detailed 3D
        views of cellular life, allowing scientists to study the adaptability
        and resilience of life under extreme conditions. Findings could reveal
        how life might persist on distant moons and planets, potentially
        enhancing the search for life beyond Earth. Portland State University,
        in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern
        California and Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., tested the advanced
        microscope system onboard the orbiting laboratory. A collection of
        samples examined on the space station returned for further analysis so
        the team can determine ELVIS' next steps in space.


    --  Researchers from the University of Connecticut and Eascra Biotech, with
        support from Axiom Space, built on previous research to improve the
        production of innovative nanomaterials in space. Janus base
        nanomaterials (JBNs) are composed of synthetic molecules that
        self-assemble into structures resembling human DNA. The injectable
        nanomaterials could help regenerate cartilage in the joints of
        osteoarthritis patients and could be used to carry cancer drugs into
        hard-to-penetrate solid tumors. The team's groundbreaking research is
        featured in the most recent issue of Upward, official magazine of the
        ISS National Lab.


    --  A project that is part of a series of investigations developed by the
        U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Air Force Academy, in partnership with
        Rhodium Scientific, examined how genetically modified tomato plants grow
        in the space environment. The team aimed to better understand how
        genetic modifications and gene expression changes influence root and
        shoot development. The researchers will compare results from this
        experiment with those from investigations on the Polaris Dawn and NASA's
        SpaceX Crew-9 missions, which featured the same Rhodium plant growth
        hardware. Findings could provide insights into the production of crops
        on long-duration space missions or in high-radiation environments.


    --  An experiment from Sophie's BioNutrients, supported by BioServe Space
        Technologies, aims to develop plant-based, protein-rich alternatives to
        meat and seafood using microalgae. The investigation examined how
        microgravity affects protein yields in microalgae that require nutrition
        from organic compounds to grow. Results could provide insights into the
        fundamental mechanisms of microalgae cell growth, metabolism, and
        protein production. In addition to serving as a food source on
        long-duration spaceflight missions, microalgae could also be used in
        life support systems and to provide oils for fuel production.
    --  Four investigations funded by NSF seek to advance fundamental science
        with valuable applications, continuing a strong, multiyear collaboration
        between NSF and the ISS National Lab. One of these projects, from Lehigh
        University, could enable the next generation of portable microfluidic
        devices that use bioseparation for virus detection. This process, which
        separates particles from fluids, relies on thermophoresis--the tendency
        of particles suspended in a solution to move from hot to cold regions
        along a temperature gradient. Bioseparation can be used in medical lab
        tests to detect the presence of a virus by separating virus particles
        from bodily fluids in samples.

To learn more about these projects and others that launched on this resupply mission, please visit our launch page. For additional information on the ISS National Lab and its mission to enable R&D in space for the benefit of humanity, see our website.

Download a high-resolution image for this release: NASA's SpaceX CRS-32

About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:
The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page.



     
     Media Contact: 
     Patrick O'Neill


                       
     904-806-0035


                                         PONeill@ISSNationalLab.org



         
              
                International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory


       
            Managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space(R) (CASIS(R))


     
       1005 Viera Blvd., Suite 101, Rockledge, FL 32955 -- 321.253.5101 -- www.ISSNationalLab.org

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