[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 113 (Monday, June 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 38225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13795]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION


Centennial Challenges Vascular Tissue Challenge

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

(16-041)

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice is issued in accordance with 51 U.S.C. 20144(c). 
The Vascular Tissue Challenge is open and teams that wish to compete 
may now register. Centennial Challenges is a program of prize 
competitions to stimulate innovation in technologies of interest and 
value to NASA and the nation. The Vascular Tissue Challenge is a prize 
competition with a $500,000 prize purse for teams that can successfully 
create thick, human vascularized organ tissue in an in vitro 
environment while maintaining metabolic functionality similar to their 
in vivo functionality throughout a 30-day survival period. NASA is 
providing the prize purse. The Methuselah Foundation's New Organ 
Alliance is the Allied Organization managing the competition.

DATES: This is a ``first to demonstrate'' competition. Teams may submit 
their intent to compete beginning June 13, 2016 and the competition 
will remain open until the requirements of the rules are met and a 
winner is announced or until the Challenge Deadline of September 30th, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: The Vascular Tissue Challenge will be conducted and judged 
at the laboratory facilities of the participants.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To register for or get additional 
information regarding the Vascular Tissue Challenge, please visit: 
https://www.neworgan.org/vtc-prize.php.
    For general information on the NASA Centennial Challenges Program 
please visit: http://www.nasa.gov/challenges. General questions and 
comments regarding the program should be addressed to Monsi Roman, 
Centennial Challenges Program, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, AL 35812. Email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Summary

    Competitors will be asked to produce an in-vitro vascularized 
tissue that is = 1 centimeter in thickness in all dimensions 
at the launch of the trial and maintains =85% survival of 
the required parenchymal cells throughout a 30-day period. Tissues must 
provide adequate blood perfusion without uncontrolled leakage into the 
bulk tissue to maintain metabolic functionality similar to their in-
vivo native cells. Histological measurement of the quality and amount 
of functional performance will be required to determine survival of 
parenchymal tissue. Teams must demonstrate 3 successful trials with at 
least a 75% trial success rate to win an award. In addition to the in-
vitro trials, teams must also submit a Spaceflight Experiment Concept 
that details how they would further advance some aspect of their tissue 
vascularization research through a microgravity experiment that could 
be conducted in the U.S. National Laboratory (ISS-NL) onboard the 
International Space Station.

I. Prize Amounts

    The total Vascular Tissue Challenge prize purse is $500,000 (five 
hundred thousand U.S. dollars). First place will receive $300,000 
(three hundred thousand U.S. dollars). Two runners-up may be awarded 
$100,000 (one hundred thousand U.S. dollars) each. Entries must meet 
specific requirements detailed in the Rules to be eligible for prize 
awards.

II. Eligibility

    To be eligible to win a prize, competitors must;
    (1) Register and comply with all requirements in the rules and Team 
Agreement;
    (2) In the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated in and 
maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and in the 
case of an individual, whether participating singly or in a group, 
shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States; and
    (3) Not be a Federal entity or Federal employee acting within the 
scope of their employment.

III. Rules

    The complete rules for the Vascular Tissue Challenge can be found 
at: https://www.neworgan.org/vtc-prize.php.

Cheryl Parker,
NASA Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-13795 Filed 6-10-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7510-13-P