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Exploring Biomedical
Research Possibilities
in ISS/Kibo
FARAH COUTRIER, PHD
PRESENTED AT THE 1ST SPACE EXPLORATION AND KIBO UTILIZATION WORKSHOP FOR ASIA
MAY 28, 2015, JAKARTA.
Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology
• Research Institute under patronage of Ministry of Research
Technology and Higher Education.
• Named after Christiaan Eijkman, a nobel price awardee for
innovative concept of vitamin deficiency (vit. B1) as the
cause of clinical symptoms (beri-beri), done in Indonesia
•
Aim:
• To increase understanding of diseases (pathology,
prevention, diagnosis and treatment) utilizing molecular
biology approaches.
• To increase research capacity through exchange of
knowledge and technology transfer
by means of
international cooperation and joint research.
Researches in Eijkman Institute
1. Application of molecular techniques for identification and better
understanding of infectious diseases:
•
Dengue, Hepatitis, Malaria, Pneumonia, and Emerging viral diseases
2. Development of vaccine, drugs, and diagnostic products
•
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Dengue, Hepatitis, Malaria and Pneumococcus vaccines
Efficacy assessment of currently available standard anti malarial drugs,
ex-vivo studies for new anti malarial compounds
Rapid diagnostic tests for dengue and hepatitis–B
3. Genetic testing and consultation:
•
•
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Prenatal diagnostic for genetic disorders (Thalassemia, Down Syndrome.
Chromosomal aberration, Disorder of Sex Development)
Paternity testing
Other genetic disorders (G6PD, Duschene Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal
Muscular Atrophy, Kleinefelter Syndrome, Prader-Willy Syndrome, etc).
Usage of animals in biomedical research
•
Model for studying human biology and disease, understanding basic biology,
and as test subjects for the development and testing of drugs, vaccines, and
other biologicals  to improve and advance human health.
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Yeasts, worms and flies  cell cycle and many developmental processes
•
Mice
 complex physiological systems
that mammals share, eg:
cancer, atherosclerosis,
hypertension, diabetes,
osteoporosis and glaucoma
 by manipulation of genome
and environment: cystic
fibrosis and Alzheimer's
Biological Research in International Space Station
Bacteria
Worm (C. elegans)
unc.edu
11 d. in ISS (Canada)
Cricket (2005)
Butterflies (2008-2009)
Zebrafish (Kibo)
Rodent model in International Space Station
•
1996: 14 d in Spacelab Life Sciences-2; U. Tenesse
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Since April 2014: Rodent Habitat for ISS, Mark I – III.
•
Observation include:
• Reproductive biology
• Neuroscience and behavior
• Musculoskeletal
• General physiology and immunology
• Testing of drugs and/or gene therapy
Ronca, et al. 2013. Gravitational and Space
Research Volume 1 (1)
Comparison of mice and human
Life cycle:
20 day gestation
2-8 pregnancy time
7 weeks maturity
2 year lifespan
What is malaria?
Infectious disease caused by Plasmodium
parasites
Transmitted to people through the bites of
infected mosquitoes.
5 parasite species in humans:
P. falciparum (malaria tropica)
P. vivax (malaria tertiana)
P. malariae
P. ovale
P. knowlesi
Different species infect primates, rodents, birds, etc.
Rodents:
P. chabaudi
Mimics P. falciparum
P. berghei
www.map.ox.ac.uk
Mouse model for malaria research
BALB/c, albino
Pb: resistance
Pc: susceptible (succumbed to severe anemia)
C57BL/6, black
Plasmodium chabaudi (Pc)
P. berghei (Pb)
Pb: highly susceptible (succumbed to cerebral
malaria)
Pc: resistance
Different strains (mouse, parasite) elicit different
response
P. chabaudi
P. berghei
n=10
n=12
n=18
n=200
Parasite count over time
Parasite injected: 105, 3.104, and 6.103
Result:
1. More parasite, peak earlier
2. parasite cleared by itself
Kaplan Meier Survival Plot over time
Parasite injected: 105;
Result:
1. 90% black mice dead before day 9
2. 50% white mice still survive at 1 month
Feasibility of malaria research in Kibo
• Mouse rearing facility in space is readily available
• Safety: malaria only transmitted through mosquito bite, and/or blood
transfusion (needle puncture)
• What we can learn from this research?
1. Developmental stages of both host (mouse) and parasite
(malaria) during infection
2. Responses to infection:
• Parasite count
• Physiology of host
• Post microgravity  parasite development on earth
3. Understanding of malaria in microgravity, implement the results for:
• Vaccine research
• New anti malarial drug development
• We are open for discussion
Thank you