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The space transportation specialist – which is based in Sparks, Nevada – has announced the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Californian university. They are looking to create what they describe as the First Stem Cell Research Institute in Space
The two organisations say they will collaborate, on Orbital Reef, to expand the university’s Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research (ISSCOR) program, which is currently operational on the International Space Station.
Oribital Reef is a planned commercial space station in low-Earth orbit (LEO) that has been announced by a consortium of companies including Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos.
“Microgravity and radiation exposure in low-Earth orbit offers a unique opportunity to study stem cell ageing and pre-cancer development in a compressed time frame in a manner that is unavailable on Earth,” said Catriona Jamieson, director of the new UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute.
Biomanufacturing
In terms of the partnership, UC San Diego will advise Sierra Space on the design for providing biomanufacturing, biofabrication and related in-space laboratory services, whether to to industry, academia or government researchers.
The university will also participate in a Sierra Space-led in-space biomanufacturing research consortium of industry, academia, philanthropic and government researchers that will focus on R&D objectives, priorities and technical requirements.
Space habitats
For its part, Sierra Space will lead the development and deployment of space habitats to create the infrastructure for UC San Diego and other partners to conduct microgravity research and in-space manufacturing.
Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser, its winged commercial spaceplane (pictured), will provide transportation to Low Eearth Oorbit, while its Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) modules will offer ample habitable spaces in which to live and work on orbit.
“As the ISS completes its time in service, UC San Diego will now have a place to grow and expand its vital research in biotech and biopharma with full, on-orbit biomanufacturing and biofabrication centers to foster breakthrough advancements and products in medical science that will benefit all life on Earth,” said Tom Vice, Sierra Space CEO.
Images: (Top) UC San Diego – brain organoids in a petri dish from the university’s Health Sciences research lab; (Bottom) Sierra Space – Dream Chaser
See also: Sierra Space explores point-to-point terrestrial deliveries
