Cell/Tissue Culture Radiation Exposure Facility

We propose to develop a Cell/Tissue Culture Radiation Exposure Facility (CTC-REF) to enable radiobiologists to investigate the real-time radiation effects on cells/tissues at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Up to 18 bioreactors with various types of cells/tissues can be placed in the radiation target area for either short- or long-term radiation exposure. Samples can be taken and fixed automatically at desired time points on site during exposure to the ion beam. Specimens within the bioreactors can also be moved from the target area to nearby biology laboratories for investigation of delayed radiation effects using a culture transport system that maintains the proper culture environment during specimen transport. The concept for CTC-REF is an evolution and extension of the hardware already developed by Payload Systems for other space life sciences applications. The main advantages of CTC-REF over currently available hardware are: higher sample throughput, automatic sampling and fixation during and after radiation exposure, and accommodation of long-duration, low dose radiation experiments.