Studies Leading to a Microgravity Cell-Adhesion Experiment

PI:Dr. Loren W. Acton, Department of Physics, Montana State University

Co-PIs:
Robert F. Bargatze, Montana ImmunoTech
Mark Jutila, Veterinary Molecular Biology Lab, MSU-Bozeman
David Klaus, BioServe Space Technologies, University of Colorado-Boulder
Peter Seidl, Physikalisch Technische Studien, GmbH.

The purpose of this proposal is to fund laboratory work in preparation for a microgravity experiment to investigate the adhesion of white blood cells to endothelial cells (cells which line the walls of blood vessels). This is the first step in the process by which white blood cells (leukocytes) pass through the wall of blood vessels to enter the tissues of the body to prevent infection and promote inflammation. The experiment is scheduled for flight on the space shuttle in October 1998 in cooperation with the NASA Commercial Space Center (BioServe Space Technologies) at the University of Colorado-Boulder and is supported by private funds. This flight is the first of a program aimed towards two objectives: (1) To understand the role of gravity in biological cell adhesion and the functioning of the human immune system in microgravity, and (2) To develop a scientific and commercial capability to conduct experiments of this type - ultimately on the International Space Station. The second flight of the program, with more sophisticated instrumentation, is scheduled on the shuttle for January 2000.

Contact Information

Mail: Dr. Loren W. Acton
Physics Department
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717-3840
E-mail: acton@physics.montana.edu
Phone: (406) 994-6072
FAX: (406) 994-4452


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