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One of the central objectives of this project was the development and characterization of a 3D mineralized tissue model system in which the effects of mechanical load (e.g., compression loading, tension, vibration, etc.) on the cellular responses of osteoblasts and osteoclasts could be investigated. After introducing mineralization agents to the culture, the constructs take on a bone-like appearance and have a more rigid structure suitable for being tested. Testing of the mineralized constructs confirmed the presence of calcium through a crystalline matrix histochemical stain. The central core is void of necrotic material, instead filled by a crystalline matrix with embedded nucleated cells. Remarkably, the nucleated cells do not express osteoblast markers, indicating differentiation to the in vivo cell type known as the osteocyte. In addition, as is characteristic to native periosteum, osteoclast precursor cells were imaged and proven to naturally arrange as an outer layer of the mineralized bone tissue construct. Development of this model will provide a unique venue for testing proposed countermeasures to space flight-induced bone loss. It will also allow a mechanistic approach in the modulation of cell signaling at the cellular level within the bone matrix. The Development And Characterization Of A Three-Dimensional Tissue Culture Model Of Bone is a technology readiness level (TRL) 6 (system/subsystem prototype demonstrated in a relevant environment). The innovation is now available for your company to license. Please note that NASA does not manufacture products itself for commercial sale.

NASA’s integrated, portable FPM device combines advanced optical microscopy with AI in a compact form factor. At its core, the system uses a Raspberry Pi camera module equipped with an 8-megapixel sensor and a 3-mm focal-length lens, achieving approximately 1.5× magnification. Illumination is provided by a Unicorn HAT HD LED array positioned 65mm below the sample stage, creating a synthetic numerical aperture of 0.55. All these components are controlled by an NVIDIA Jetson Nano board, which serves as the system's embedded AI computing platform. NASA’s portable FPM device can be integrated with a microfluidic system for sub-micron imaging of liquid samples. In addition to its portability, what sets NASA’s integrated FPM device apart is its integration of deep learning capabilities. The invention has two modes – normal mode and deep learning mode. In its normal mode, the system captures data and performs intensity and 3D phase analysis using traditional FPM methods. The deep learning mode enhances this base functionality by employing neural networks for image reconstruction and system optimization. The AI system automatically detects when samples are out of focus and can either mechanically or digitally adjust to the correct focal plane. To achieve near real-time monitoring, deep learning models significantly reduce data acquisition time by selectively using only a portion of the LED array and provide fast reconstruction capabilities leveraging training on specific sample types. While originally designed for imaging biosignature motility in liquid samples for spaceflight applications, this NASA innovation can image many different types of samples, and is not limited to biological specimens. The ability to operate this system in the field further broadens use-cases.

NASA’s electrochemical Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) microelectrode array biosensor advantageously incorporates a microbead detection construct, coupled with a magnetic immobilization construct, which substantially increases the signal sensitivity of a sensor. The magnetic immobilization construct draws the microbead detection construct to an electrode detection surface, enhancing signal sensitivity. By concentrating the signaling molecules close to the electrode detection surface, electrochemical redox cycling is achieved by reducing the distance between the two, allowing for regeneration of reporter molecules. Whereas a traditional ELISA testing exhibits five to ten signaling molecules per probe molecule binding event, the present electrochemical ELISA-based biosensor testing exhibits up to 4,857 signaling molecules per probe molecule binding event. The model bead construct exhibits a more than 6.75-fold in increased measured signal, and more than 35.7-fold improvement in signal sensitivity. When compared to traditional optical ELISA, the present invention improves the limit of detection by up to a factor of 60.5. NASA’s electromagnetic ELISA-based biosensor can be used for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus to enhance Covid-19 testing during the early phases of infection. The technology may also be modified to detect other biomarkers.

There is a significant need for an inexpensive biological approach to recover specific, targeted metals and other target materials in e-waste or other aqueous solutions that requires minimal input of resources, including energy. This invention is a method of removing or adsorbing a target substance or material, for example, a metal, non-metal toxin, dye, or small molecule drug, from solution, by functionalizing a substrate with a peptide configured to selectively bind to the target substance or material and to bind to the substrate. The substrate is fungal mycelium, and the naturally-occurring or bioengineered peptide is called a target-binding domain, which is chemically bonded to a selected solid substrate. The target chemical species binds to the target-binding domain and is removed from solution. The target can be any chemical species dissolved or suspended in the solution. Capture of the target by the substrate can isolate and allow removal of the target substance from solution, or for utilization in water filtration, or recovery of targeted chemical species from solution, particularly aqueous solution applications. The peptides used include (i) fusion peptides and/or proteins containing metal-binding domain sequence and optionally containing substrate-binding domain sequence; (ii) fusion peptides/proteins containing a metal-binding domain and a chitin-binding domain; and (iii) nucleic acids encoding fusion peptides and/or proteins containing metal-binding domain sequence. The technology enables simple scale up to a level that could be successfully implemented in an environment with limited resources, such as on a space mission or on earth in developing countries with poor access to clean water.