3 min read<\/p>\n
Adam and Hirsa Present Research on the Ring-Sheared Drop<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/bps\/bps-general\/bps-data_osdr_psi\/osdr_PSI_article_image.png?w=1276&h=850&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nAbnormal fibrous, extracellular, proteinaceous deposits found in organs and tissues are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer\u2019s. (\u201cAmyloid fibril formation in microgravity: Distinguishing interfacial and flow effects\u201d NNX13AQ22G). The Ring Sheared Drop investigation studies the biophysics of protein amyloidogenesis in the absence of gravity in order to study fibril formation at fluid interfaces, in the absence of solid walls.<\/div>\nNASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nResearchers across Space Biology and Physical Sciences come together for a special presentation at the May PSI Users Group.<\/p>\n
The Ring-Sheared Drop (RSD) is a Microgravity Science Glovebox experiment that launched in July 2019 to the ISS to study shearing flow in the absence of solid walls. The major goals of this project were to adapt and use the RSD module to develop and test predictive models of non-Newtonian flow of high-concentration proteins at the interface.<\/p>\n
At the May Physical Sciences Informatics (PSI) User Group, Dr. Joe Adam, Research Scientist at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and University Payload Director of the RSD module, presented, \u201cProtein Solution Hydrodynamic Studies in the Ring-Sheared Drop\u201d<\/em><\/a> detailing the history of RSD, research campaigns and data to be released in PSI. This investigation was led by Principal Investigator, Prof. Amir Hirsa of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.<\/p>\nThe ring-sheared drop interfacial bioprocessing of pharmaceuticals-I (RSD-IBP-I) campaign aimed to study non-Newtonian interfacial hydrodynamics of the blood transport proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) in microgravity. Specifically, scientific aims focus on the effects of protein primary structure (BSA or HSA), protein concentration and interfacial shear rate on microgravity fluid flow, measured using velocimetry of hollow glass microsphere tracer particles within protein samples. This campaign intended to confer improved understanding of interfacial protein flows in relation to physiology, the environment, and industry relevant to both spaceflight and Earth. Results from this line of research could have applications to in situ pharmaceutical production, tissue engineering, and diseases such as Alzheimer\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s, infectious prions, and type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n
To encourage collaboration across common areas of BPS\u2019s Physical Sciences and Biology research, PSI invited Ryan Scott, ALSDA lead Scientist, and members of the ADBR (Alz Disease & Brain Resilience) and Parkinson\u2019s AWG subgroups to attendee this month\u2019s meeting which fueled discussions and led to several connections. During the discussions the two relevant collaborative publications that were shared are:<\/p>\n
\n- McMackin, P., Adam, J., Griffin, S. et al. Amyloidogenesis via interfacial shear in a containerless biochemical reactor aboard the International Space Station. npj Microgravity 8, 41 (2022). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41526-022-00227-2<\/a><\/li>\n
- Nilufar Ali paper resulting in part from a collaboration within the Parkison\u2019s AWG subgroup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Ali, N., Beheshti, A. & Hampikian, G. Space exploration and risk of Parkinson\u2019s disease: a perspective review. npj Microgravity 11, 1 (2025). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41526-024-00457-6<\/a><\/p>\nRing-Sheared Drop \u2013 Interfacial Bioprocessing of Pharmaceuticals(RSD-IBP-I) is now accessible in PSI. http:\/\/doi.org\/10.60555\/smat-bb74<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShare<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>Researchers across Space Biology and Physical Sciences come together for a special presentation at the May PSI Users Group.<\/p>\n
The Ring-Sheared Drop (RSD) is a Microgravity Science Glovebox experiment that launched in July 2019 to the ISS to study shearing flow in the absence of solid walls. The major goals of this project were to adapt and use the RSD module to develop and test predictive models of non-Newtonian flow of high-concentration proteins at the interface.<\/p>\n
At the May Physical Sciences Informatics (PSI) User Group, Dr. Joe Adam, Research Scientist at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and University Payload Director of the RSD module, presented, \u201cProtein Solution Hydrodynamic Studies in the Ring-Sheared Drop\u201d<\/em><\/a> detailing the history of RSD, research campaigns and data to be released in PSI. This investigation was led by Principal Investigator, Prof. Amir Hirsa of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.<\/p>\n The ring-sheared drop interfacial bioprocessing of pharmaceuticals-I (RSD-IBP-I) campaign aimed to study non-Newtonian interfacial hydrodynamics of the blood transport proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) in microgravity. Specifically, scientific aims focus on the effects of protein primary structure (BSA or HSA), protein concentration and interfacial shear rate on microgravity fluid flow, measured using velocimetry of hollow glass microsphere tracer particles within protein samples. This campaign intended to confer improved understanding of interfacial protein flows in relation to physiology, the environment, and industry relevant to both spaceflight and Earth. Results from this line of research could have applications to in situ pharmaceutical production, tissue engineering, and diseases such as Alzheimer\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s, infectious prions, and type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n To encourage collaboration across common areas of BPS\u2019s Physical Sciences and Biology research, PSI invited Ryan Scott, ALSDA lead Scientist, and members of the ADBR (Alz Disease & Brain Resilience) and Parkinson\u2019s AWG subgroups to attendee this month\u2019s meeting which fueled discussions and led to several connections. During the discussions the two relevant collaborative publications that were shared are:<\/p>\n Ali, N., Beheshti, A. & Hampikian, G. Space exploration and risk of Parkinson\u2019s disease: a perspective review. npj Microgravity 11, 1 (2025). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41526-024-00457-6<\/a><\/p>\n Ring-Sheared Drop \u2013 Interfacial Bioprocessing of Pharmaceuticals(RSD-IBP-I) is now accessible in PSI. http:\/\/doi.org\/10.60555\/smat-bb74<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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