NASA Helping Colorado Nonprofit Make More Donated Human Tissue Available

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) – A nonprofit in Centennial working with NASA scientists is hoping to use space technology to make sure donated human tissue is safe.

The group called AlloSource is studying the rapid way NASA tests spacecraft for bacteria to see if their tissue bank can do the same. It's bringing out-of-this-world technology down to earth.

In an isolated sanitary room, workers process bone, skin and tendons at AlloSource, one of the largest tissue banks in the country. They supply donated human tissue to use in medical procedures.

"We supply mainly orthopedic products," said Peter Stevens, Vice President of Research and Development at AlloSource.

All of the products must be carefully screened for bacteria.

"We don't want any microbes on the material when we sell it otherwise there might be an infection," Stevens said.

One of the major challenges for AlloSource is rapidly testing the tissue that has just a 28-day shelf life.

"It takes us 14 days to know if there are microorganisms on it," Stevens said.

Enter NASA and Dr. Kasthuri Venkat. Since May, AlloSource has teamed with NASA scientists to tap into space technology. NASA uses rigorous microbial testing on the Mars Rover and other spacecraft to make sure nothing harmful hitches a hike.

"We have to be very careful and do what we can do and keep the other planet as pristine as possible," Venkat said.

NASA can do the testing rapidly and they're trying to help AlloSource do the same.

"We are helping them to reduce that to 1 to 3 days," Venkat said.

"If this technology allows us to do that testing in 2 days, we almost double the amount of time to place the product," Sevens said.

A win for AlloSource would be a win for everybody. It will mean more donated tissue will be available for surgeries that could both enhance and save lives.

The NASA partnership is part of a program to help Colorado companies use NASA resources to spur innovation.

LINK: AlloSource