CASIS Announces Request for Information to Identify Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Research Implementation Partners

The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the nonprofit organization promoting and managing research on board the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, today announced a Request for Information (RFI) seeking to identify entities capable of serving as implementation partners for microgravity-based, non-embryonic stem cell research conducted on the station.

The CASIS Science Advisory Board has identified non-embryonic stem cell research as a strong opportunity for developing a biosciences portfolio for the ISS. This is due to previous experiments in microgravity that have demonstrated diverse cellular activities including cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell differentiation, apoptosis, genomic integrity and DNA damage repair.

From this RFI, CASIS will develop an internal database of entities that can support payload development needs for non-embryonic stem cell research. This information gathering opportunity comes before an official non-embryonic stem cell Request for Proposals is announced in the coming months.

"CASIS continues to be encouraged by the amount of partners willing to facilitate bringing groundbreaking research ideas to the National Lab," said CASIS Interim Director Jim Royston. "Through this RFI, CASIS can better gauge the capabilities of our current partners in non-embryonic stem cell research, and possibly identify new implementation partners for future flight opportunities to benefit all humankind."

This RFI will be open until 5pm EST on March 28, 2013.

For additional information about this RFI, including instructions on submitting a proposal, continue to check the CASIS solicitations site: http://www.iss-casis.org/solicitations.

About CASIS: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) was selected by NASA in July 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory through 2020. CASIS is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. The CASIS goal is to bring the magic of space down to earth. For more information, visit http://www.iss-casis.org.

About the ISS National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the International Space Station as the nation's newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users and advancing STEM education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by other U.S. government agencies and by academic and private institutions, providing access to the permanent microgravity setting, vantage point in low earth orbit and varied environments of space. The ISS National Laboratory Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center currently facilitates research initiatives on board the station's National Lab, but management of America's only in-orbit laboratory is transitioning to CASIS.

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CASIS Announces Request for Information to Identify Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Research Implementation Partners