The applicants have developed a method to preserve red blood cells by dehydration for long-term storage (years) at ambient temperature before rehydrating with sterile water for transfusion therapy. IT…

This $275,000 grant was awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to the University of Louisville's Office of Research & Innovation Division to evaluate the rehydration and functionality of dehydrated red blood cells in reduced gravity environments. The grantee has developed a process to preserve red blood cells for long-term storage and ambient temperature transport, which could benefit medical care during spaceflight. Through two parabolic flight campaigns, the researchers will assess the cells' rehydration, mixing, size, shape, viability, and function under lunar, Martian, and microgravity conditions. This effort aims to advance the technology readiness level from 4 to 6, demonstrating its suitability for exploration missions. The grant does not have a set-aside designation, and the anticipated completion date is December 31, 2021.

The applicants have developed a method to preserve red blood cells by dehydration for long-term storage (years) at ambient temperature before rehydrating with sterile water for transfusion therapy. IT is anticipated that this process will reduce oxidative damage to the red blood cell membrane that occurs with other forms of storage while greatly increasing and simplifying the shelf life from the current standard practice of≤42 days in refrigeration at 4 c. These simple storage conditions and long shelf life would make the preserved red blood cells attractive for the treatment of trauma, radiation-induced anemia, and other medical conditions that could occur during an exploration space mission. When anticipating the use of the dehydrated red blood cells during an exploration space mission, IT must first be demonstrated that the red blood cells can be adequately rehydrated and regain acceptable viability and function given the altered fluid physics in a reduced gravity and microgravity environment. The investigators propose two parabolic flight campaigns to evaluate that specific concern. In the first flight campaign, small volumes of the dehydrated red blood cells will be rehydrated in storage vials during periods of lunar, martian, and 0-g. The gross and microscopic examination of the rehydrated red blood cells will be conducted to assess uniformity of mixing, size and shape of the red blood cells, and the viability and function of the red blood cells. With any challenges identified and addressed with the first flight campaign, a second flight campaign will be conducted to evaluate the rehydration of a standard unit of red blood cells (500 ML), assess uniformity of mixing, size and shape of the red blood cells and the viability and function of the red blood cells, and assess if there are any problems when trying to transfuse the red blood cells into an analog limb vein model. The anticipated result of this project is the confirmation that the dehydrated red blood cells can be successfully rehydrated and transfused consistent with the performance requirements of a lunar colony or an expedition to mars, elevating the technology from TRL 4 to TRL 6.