NIH/NASA Meeting onSpace-Related Health Research

Henry Rodriguez, Ph.D., M.B.A.Director, Clinical Proteomic Technologies Initiative

National Cancer Institute

December 8, 2006

Technology BenefitsTechnology Benefits

Bio-Technology Benefits to NASA Technology Benefits to NCI

Miniaturized biochemical analytic laboratories

Bio-Astronautics and Human Exploration

Fabrication of ultra rugged materials and structures

Early detection

Accurate diagnosis

Prevention and improved therapies

Fundamental Technologies in Biomolecular Sensors (NCI-NASA)Fundamental Technologies in Biomolecular Sensors (NCI-NASA)

Workshop (June 1999) on Sensors for Bio-Molecular Signatures

– Richard Klausner, Director NCI; Daniel Goldin, NASA Administrator

– April 2000 MOU, Oct. 2000 launched

Total 6 awards, $13.6M over 4 yrs.– Launching companies & Building

foundation for NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer

A. Peptide Functionalized Nanoparticles (Alnis Biosciences Inc., collaboration with UNC Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence)

B. Ultra-bright Near Infrared Fluorophores (possible synergy with Emory and MIT/Harvard Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence)

C. Molecular Beacons (PI became co-PI of MIT/Harvard Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence)

Nanogel

(carbohydrate or PEG nanoparticle

– targeted drug delivery tool)

A

B

C Molecular Beacons

(enabling live detection of gene expression)

Ultra-bright contrast agent

(deep tissue imaging, > 1 cm)

Object Oriented Data Technology(NCI-NASA/JPL)Object Oriented Data Technology(NCI-NASA/JPL)

OODT’s architecture originally developed for NASA’s planetary data system (PDS) project by JPL

– Open source & Based on open standards: Java, XML, Web Services

– Distributed network that is secure and confidential

EDRN’s Virtual Specimen distributed query system (ERNE) is based on NASA’s OODT

– Existing sites specimen databases maintained locally

– Uses EDRN Common Data Elements (CDEs)

OODT Framework includes:– Name Server; Query Server; Archive

Server; Profile Server; Product Server; Server Manager

Nanowire arrays for early detection (NCI/NASA-Goddard/U. Maryland)Nanowire arrays for early detection (NCI/NASA-Goddard/U. Maryland)

Controlled on-chip synthesis (SiNWs and carbon nanotubes)

Surface mod. readily achieved for affinity-capture material

Ultra-sensitive and fast sensors for electrical, real-time and label-free detection sensing of chemical or biological species (amplicon - femtomolar)

Nucleic acid sequence detection, protein marker detection, and single viral particle detection

Nanomedicine (2006) 1(1), 51-65

Nature Protocols (2006) 1(4), 1711-1724