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Biotechnology Specimen Temperature Controller (BSTC)
10.29.09
Scientists and payload developers can get more information on International Space Station research facilities by contacting the ISS Payloads Office or at 281-244-6187.

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Facility/Payload Overview

Brief Facility Summary

The Biotechnology Specimen Temperature Controller (BSTC) supported the Cellular Biotechnology Operations Science System (CBOSS) investigations, a series of experiments to refine and further develop bioreactor technology. BSTC provided the environmental and metabolic support required to grow and maintain mammalian cell cultures in microgravity, which can lead to unprecedented opportunities for breakthroughs in biomedical research and biotechnology.

Facility Manager(s)

  • John E. Love, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

    • Co-Facility Manager(s)

    Information Pending

    Facility Developer

    Wyle Laboratories, Houston, TX

    Sponsoring Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Expeditions Assigned

    |3|4|5|

    Previous ISS Missions

    Information Pending

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    Facility/Payload Description

    Facility Summary

    • The Biotechnology Specimen Temperature Controller (BSTC) provided a platform for the Cellular Biotechnology Operations Science System (CBOSS) investigations to study basic cell to cell interactions, in a microgravity environment and the formation of functional cell aggregates.


    • BSTC was designed to allow multiple experiments studying various types of cells to operate simultaneously. It is a multi-component cell incubator intended to grow three-dimensional clusters of cells in microgravity.

    Description

    The BSTC supported the Cellular Biotechnology Operations Science System (CBOSS) investigations aboard the International Space Station (ISS) by providing a stable environment for performing cell culture investigations. BSTC, a self-contained apparatus, is designed to allow multiple experiments studying various cells types to operate simultaneously. It is a multi-component cell incubator intended to grow three-dimensional clusters of cells in microgravity. BSTC was configured to contain one large chamber which can house 32 stationary tissue culture modules (TCMs) at temperatures between 4 degrees C - 50 degrees C (39.2 degrees - 122 degrees F). The TCMs are clear Teflon bags that hold approximately 30 milliliters (1 oz) of growth media. BSTC has also has been reconfigured to include a gas purge system, carbon dioxide monitoring (provided by the front display), and an Ethernet connection to the ISS computer via the EXPRESS Rack. BSTC is equipped with systems and temperature monitors that are able to detect conditions inside its chambers.

    The CBOSS investigations required a suite of interrelated hardware which also included the following hardware:

    • The Biotechnology Cell Science Stowage (BCSS) were stowage units designed to safely and efficiently package and transport cellular biotechnology equipment and materials required to conduct experiments onboard the ISS.


    • The Biotechnology Refrigerator (BTR) was a thermo-electric, temperature-controlled unit which provides 0.53 cubic feet of cold storage at 4 degrees C (39.2 degrees F). Temperature-sensitive cell samples and stowage items were carried in the BTR to the ISS.


    • The Cellular Biotechnology Cryodewar (CBC) will be used to store frozen cell samples until orbit is achieved and the experiments are initiated on the ISS. CBC is a passive device employing absorbed liquid nitrogen as the cryogen.


    • The Gas Supply Module (GSM) supplied a continuous flow of an air/carbon dioxide mixture to the Biotechnology Specimen Temperature Controller to support and maintain the chemical and physiological processes required to sustain cell cultures. The system is mechanical, requiring no electrical power. Two independent supply lines are available for multiple experiment support, and all four of the unit's gas cylinders can be connected to provide a common supply source. The Gas Supply Module can hold up to 634 quarts (600 liters) of gas when charged to 2,575 pounds psi (181 kilograms per centimeter).

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    Operations

    Facility Operations

    BSTC and GSM were housed side by side in lockers 1 and 5, respectively, of EXPRESS Rack 4. At the end of Increment 3, BTR was transferred to EXPRESS Rack 4, as well. GSM does not use power or gas supplied by the EXPRESS Rack, but does interface with the Station computer via the EXPRESS Rack's Ethernet connection. BCSS-1 and -4, housed directly below BSTC and GSM in lockers 2 and 6, do not require EXPRESS Rack support. BTR is located in EXPRESS Rack 1, locker 6. It operates on 160 watts of continuous power and Ethernet connection provided by the rack.

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    Results/More Information

    During operations on the ISS the crew performed periodic preventive maintenance on the BSTC components. The BSTC performed nominally during operations.

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    Availability

  • Operated on ISS

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    Related Web Sites

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    Publications

    Results Publications

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      Related Publications

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        Images

        imageNASA Image: ISS004E8067 - Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack 4 in the Destiny U.S. Laboratory taken during Expedition Four. EXPRESS Rack 4 houses components for the Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System (CBOSS) experiment - the Biotechnology Specimen Temperature Controller (upper left corner), Gas Supply Module (upper right corner) and the Biotechnology Refrigerator (below the GSM).
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        imageNASA Image: ISS003E329006 - Expedition Three Mission Commander Frank L. Culbertson, wearing a mask, works with the Biotechnology Specimen Temperature Controller facility during the CBOSS experiments in the U.S. Laboratory/Destiny.
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        imageNASA Image: ISS009E05444 - Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack 4 in the Destiny/U.S. Laboratory during Expedition 9. Equipment visible in the EXPRESS Rack include: Biotechnology Specimen Temperature Controller (upper left corner) and the Gas Supply Module (upper right corner).
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        Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office
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