Evaluation of Techniques for Performing Cellular Isolation During Microgravity Conditions

This study (OpNom 'Functional Immune') will be a comprehensive immunity Flight Definition investigation that will use longitudinal repeated measures to assess various aspects of immunity and viral reactivation during long-duration spaceflight.This proposal builds on the successful sampling architecture of the former Integrated Immune flight study, which for the first time returned ambient, live blood samples from space to allow functional assays. Blood (ambient, live) and saliva samples will be collected before, during, and following spaceflight. Previously uninvestigated live cell assays will be performed to assess cellular function during spaceflight. Specialized preservatives will be utilized to assess comprehensive immunophenotype, gene expression and proteomics. Measures of inflammation, stress, antimicrobial activity, etc. will be assessed in blood, saliva, and/or urine. The reactivation of a panel of herpesviruses will be assessed both during flight, and post-flight until shedding resolves. Array technology will be utilized to allow maximal information to be derived from minimal in-flight samples. This study will be a hybrid of NASA internal scientists and researchers external to NASA. The NASA 'Core' science package and implementation strategy was selected and approved in 2014. Via NRA, the solicitation for external participation, with science directed to comply with the parent study sampling architecture, is in progress