[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 42962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-17789]
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[Notice: (19-047)]
Notice of Centennial Challenge Vascular Tissue Challenge
AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice is updating the Centennial Challenge Vascular
Tissue Challenge that was published June 13, 2016, Document Number
2016-13795. 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 must
submit their intent to compete by September 30th, 2019, and all trials
need to be completed by the Trial Deadline of September 30th, 2020.
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/prizes/vascular-tissue-prize/.
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 calendar 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 an 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 Participate and Win Prize Money
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. Official Rules
The complete rules for the Vascular Tissue Challenge can be found
at: https://www.neworgan.org/prizes/vascular-tissue-prize/.
Cheryl Parker,
NASA Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2019-17789 Filed 8-16-19; 8:45 am]
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