2 Recent Patents on Space Technology, 2013, Volume 3, No.

1 Editorial

Editorial
Recent Advances in Space Biotechnology
Since the advent of spaceflight, space research has been one of the most thriving branches of science and technology. This fast
developing field of science allied with the vigorous growth of biotechnology industry promises exciting prospects for
biotechnological research. There is compelling evidence that the unique environment of space provides important insights into
a variety of fundamental biological issues with tremendous potential for the commercial development of novel technologies.
Over the decades, state institutions had the exclusive rights in many commercial space markets. However, the recent general
retreat from positions of governmental monopoly on commercial space activity has fostered a climate conducive to private
commercial space activity. The success on encouraging the commercial use of space is demonstrated by many commercial
partners recently involved, potential products nearing marketability, and the increasing industry contribution to space research.
This overall movement towards privatization and commercialization of space ventures was largely initiated by the
implementation of solid commercial space policies. The policy of encouraging commercial activity in space necessarily entails
some form of patent protection for processes and inventions developed in space. Patents must be available to assure private
companies a return on their investments. If such protection is not available, companies will be understandably reluctant to
engage in high-cost space ventures. In the biotechnology industry, where initial investment as well as research and development
costs are significantly high, the assurance of patent protection is especially important.
In order to encourage private investment in space activity related to Life Sciences research with the generation of patentable
discoveries, this special issue highlights some recent advances in space biotechnology with a collection of reviews and original
research papers. In the first paper, Caffrey and Hamby (2013) review in detail space radiation dosimeters discussing multiple
approaches that have been recently developed [1]. Straume et al. (2013) describe a novel technology concept that would
provide comprehensive in-flight medical diagnostic capability in a compact device for human deep-space missions [2]. In
addition to space applications, this innovative technology will very likely have important spin-offs in medicine and public
health here on Earth. Salim et al. (2013) present a comprehensive description on lab-on-a-chip systems developed for the
purpose of conducting real-time physiological measurements in microgravity [3]. Chapes and Ortega (2013) describe the effects
of space flight on macrophage differentiation and demonstrate the importance of understanding the effects of hardware and
operational protocols on research outcomes as applied to microgravity or spaceflight research [4]. Simmet et al. (2013)
summarize the technical efforts to study the monocyte-macrophage-system under different gravitational conditions [5]. The
wide range of technical developments spanning ground based experiments, parabolic and suborbital flights, and orbital
missions covers a large panel of high-tech available tools to study the relevant biological question of first-line defense of the
immune system under microgravity. Hirmer and Clément (2013) report on the application of humanistic intelligence design
principles to wearable computing technologies and digital vision systems for astronaut applications [6]. In the last paper,
Zander et al. (2013) briefly review recent advances in short radius centrifuges and provide a technical description and
applications of the Short Arm Human Centrifuge (SAHC) at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the most advanced type of
short radius centrifuges presently commercially available [7]. Each paper in this issue presents patents derived from such
studies or new technologies and patented instruments used to support the experiments.

REFERENCES
[1] J. A. Caffrey and D. M. Hamby, “Space radiation dosimetry: Overview and recent developments”, Recent Patents on Space Technology, vol. 3, no. 1,
pp. 3-12, 2013.
[2] T. Straume, D. J. Loftus, J. Li, M. A. Coleman, C. E. Davis, K.A. McMonigal, M. Piccini, and A. K. Singh, “Biomarker-detection technologies for
comprehensive medical diagnosis during deep-space missions”, Recent Patents on Space Technology, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 13-23, 2013.
[3] W. W. A. W. Salim, J. H. Park, A. ul Haque, and D. M. Porterfield, “Lab-on-a-chip approaches for space-biology research”, Recent Patents on Space
Technology, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 24-39, 2013.
[4] S. K. Chapes and M. T. Ortega, “Understanding macrophage differentiation during space flight: The importance of ground-based experiments before
space flight”, Recent Patents on Space Technology, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 40-47, 2013.
[5] D. M. Simmet, A. Schwarzwälder, K. Paulsen, S. Tauber, F. Engelmann, C. S. Thiela, and O. Ullrich, “Biotechnology for the investigation of the
monocyte-macrophage-system in microgravity and space”, Recent Patents on Space Technology, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 48-63, 2013.
[6] T. Hirmer and G. Clément, “Digital vision systems and wearable computing technologies for assisting astronauts during intra- and extra-vehicular
activity”, Recent Patents on Space Technology, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 64-73, 2013.
[7] V. Zander, R. Anken, T. Pesquet, S. Brungs, and J. Latsch, “Short radius centrifuges – A new approach for life science experiments under hyper-g
conditions for applications in space and beyond”, Recent Patents on Space Technology, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 74-81, 2013.

Pabulo Henrique Rampelotto

(Guest Editor)
Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research
Federal University of Pampa
São Gabriel, RS
Brazil
E-mail: pabulo@lacesm.ufsm.br