CELL CULTURE MODULE - EFFECT OF MICROGRAVITY ON WOUND REPAIR: IN
VITRO MODEL OF NEW BLOOD VESSEL DEVELOPMENT (CCM-WOUND REPAIR)
Research Area: Immune System
Expeditions: 15
Principal Investigator(s): ● James B. Hoying, PhD and Stuart K. Williams, PhD, The
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Cell Culture Module - Effect of Microgravity on Wound Repair: In Vitro Model of New Blood
Vessel Development (CCM-Wound Repair) is a Department of Defense Space Test Program
research that uses cell culture in microgravity as a model of wound healing. This investigation is
directed at the use of adipose-derived adult stem cells for use in injury repair and how the
microgravity alters new blood vessel development, which is a key component of wound and
tissue repair.
EARTH BENEFITS
This unique cell culture in microgravity serves as a model system for understanding necrosis of
tissue following severe injuries. Using adipose-derived adult stem cells may accelerate new
blood vessel development, which is a key component of wound and tissue repair. Results will
be applied to help prevent the loss of limbs following severe injuries with life-changing benefits
in military and civilian applications.
Pictured is new capillary formation in response to wounding. Image from Alberts B, Bray D, Lewis J, et al.,
Molecular Biology of the Cell, 5th Edition, 2007, Pg. 1279-1283.