National Laboratory Pathfinder-Cells (NLP-Cells), Two Investiations
Research Area: Cellular Biology
Increment(s): 18, 21- 28
Principal Investigator(s): ● Neil C. Talbot, PhD, Agricultural Research Services, Beltsville,
Maryland
● Wagner Vendrame, PhD, University of Florida, Homestead,
Florida
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
NLP-CELLS (TALBOT)
National Lab Pathfinder-Cells (NLP-Cells) comprises 2
experiments conducted by the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA). One experiment
assesses the effects of spaceflight on cellular
replication and differentiation in cattle cells. The
other experiment examines the effects of spaceflight
on the normal differentiation and function of liver
cells and bile duct (opens into the small intestine
from the liver) epithelium (lining).
NLP-CELLS-JATROPHA BIOFUELS (VENDRAME)
National Lab Pathfinder-Cells-Jatropha Biofuels (NLP-
Cells-Jatropha Biofuels) assesses the effects of
microgravity on formation, establishment, and
multiplication of undifferentiated cells of the
Jatropha (Jatropha curcas), a biofuel plant, using
different tissues as explant sources from different
genotypes of Jatropha. Specific goals include the
evaluation of changes in cell structure, growth and
development, genetic changes, and differential gene
expression. Postflight analysis identifies significant
changes that occur in microgravity, which could
contribute to accelerating the breeding and genetic
improvement processes for the development of new
cultivars of this biofuel plant.
EARTH BENEFITS
The long-term goal of this project is to enhance the ability to introduce new genetic information
into cells and to examine the effects of spaceflight on the normal differentiation and function
of undifferentiated plant cells. The J. curcas plant, which is also known as the “physic nut” is a
small tree from the Euphorbiaceae family that produces seeds from which oil can be extracted
for use as biofuel. It has been demonstrated that J. curcas is a feasible species for the
commercial production of biodiesel. The oil is of excellent quality and amenable also for jet fuel
mixes. J. curcas is a tropical plant with an oil content of about 38% within the seeds. However, J.
In this image shows the Group Activation Packs
placed into the Commercial Generic
Bioprocessing Apparatus that provides
environmental controls from cold stowage to
incubation temperatures. BioServe Space
Technologies image, University of Colorado,
Boulder, Colorado.