Image courtesy of NASA/Kim Shiflett Weather permitting, this Friday 18th April 2014 should see the launch of Space-X 3, a falcon supply rocket headed to the International Space Station. On board will be some ground-breaking research projects, entitled University Research – 1 (UR-1), that focus on the development of benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid derivatives designed for immune system augmentation, the restoration of immune cell function and the inhibition of cancer initiation and development.
It is a unique collaborative mission that unites ground-based university research with flight-based research on the ISS, initially funded by NASA as part of a NASA Science and Technology Institute (NSTI) 2008-2012 grant.
Five US universities are participating in the project, one of which is the Texas Southern University, under the direction of the Principal Investigator Dr. Alamelu Sundaresan (also known as my good friend Lalita!) Their study entitled, “Assessment of modeled microgravity on human lymphocytes treated with synthetic benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid derivatives”, along with the other four projects should contribute to a better understanding of the benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid compounds and their effects on human cells exposed to radiation; a critical topic that needs to be addressed with the advent of longer duration manned flights to space resulting in extended exposure to cosmic radiation.
Many congratulations indeed to Lalita and her team of researchers and students!
It is a unique collaborative mission that unites ground-based university research with flight-based research on the ISS, initially funded by NASA as part of a NASA Science and Technology Institute (NSTI) 2008-2012 grant.
Five US universities are participating in the project, one of which is the Texas Southern University, under the direction of the Principal Investigator Dr. Alamelu Sundaresan (also known as my good friend Lalita!) Their study entitled, “Assessment of modeled microgravity on human lymphocytes treated with synthetic benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid derivatives”, along with the other four projects should contribute to a better understanding of the benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid compounds and their effects on human cells exposed to radiation; a critical topic that needs to be addressed with the advent of longer duration manned flights to space resulting in extended exposure to cosmic radiation.
Many congratulations indeed to Lalita and her team of researchers and students!
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