Computationally Designed Protein Sensors for Assessing Lunar Dust Impact on Human Organoid Models

Spaceflight induces a variety of unique stressors on the human body, including microgravity, radiation, and, if exploring the Moon, lunar dust. Organoids are ideal systems to test how humans will respond to these stressors. However, traditional analysis technologies for monitoring health markers in organoids do not meet the mass and volume restrictions for launch. Although lightweight monitoring platforms have been developed at NASA ARC, their reliance on commercially available antibodies limits their sensitivity, shelf life, and applicability to new biomarkers. Here, we propose to use computational modeling to enhance the sensitivity, shelf life, and applicability of existing biosensor platforms. Using a combination of machine learning and physics-based modeling, we will create a design pipeline that results in novel protein sequences to detect a given biomarker target. We will use this pipeline to create a sensor to detect mucus in lung organoids, an important biological response to lunar dust. Finally, we will apply our new sensor to detect lung organoid mucus levels based as a function of simulated lunar dust exposure. Our new technology will enhance the sensitivity and shelf life of the current state-of-the-art in detecting organoid response to simulated lunar dust, while enabling rapid application to other biomarkers.

Using a combination of machine learning and physics-based modeling, we will create a design pipeline that results in novel protein sequences to detect a given biomarker target. We will use this pipeline to create a sensor to detect mucus in lung organoids, an important biological response to lunar dust. Finally, we will apply our new sensor to detect lung organoid mucus levels based as a function of simulated lunar dust exposure. Our new technology will enhance the sensitivity and shelf life of the current state-of-the-art in detecting organoid response to simulated lunar dust, while enabling rapid application to other biomarkers.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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