nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in the Hinterlands, one of the Technology in Space Prize startup company winners will add to groundbreaking ongoing cancer research in space. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include means of increasing the ocean’s natural carbon absorption capacity, research suggesting penguin poop could cool the climate, and the first discovery of a teenage white dwarf star.
Startup RedPoint Oncology aims to develop a targeted cancer treatment for therapy–resistant cancer cells. That goal is a step closer to fruition after the startup was named one of two winners of the Technology in Space Prize. Winners of the prize receive over $650,000 in combined funding, but what makes the prize unique is winners get access to the International Space Station (ISS) for research and development. For RedPoint Oncology, this access is of perhaps incalculable value, as microgravity accelerates and changes cell growth.
The ISS has already seen its fair share of cancer research. In 2019, NASA published its Twin Study, which studied the effects a prolonged space flight could have on a human body. The study's results indicated that microgravity accelerates the growth of stem cells and preleukemic changes. This allowed scientists to develop mini–tumor models and observed how quickly their growth accelerated in space, confirming that the ISS could provide an unparalleled testing ground for cancer research.
In 2024, the ISS National Laboratory partnered with NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences to fund five biomedical research projects, four of which directly relate to cancer research. With this funding, scientists at the University of California, San Diego, will use tumor organoids to see if blocking certain enzymes can halt cancer cell growth. Scientists at the University of Texas will study T cells in microgravity, aiming to develop immunotherapy treatments for cancer and other autoimmune disorders. Scientists at Wake Forest University will also use tumor organoids to see if chemotherapy is more effective in low Earth orbit. And the University of Connecticut scientists are developing cancer therapeutics with Janus–base nanomaterials, ideally targeting medicine delivery to solid tumors. This research will be instrumental in shaping RedPoint Oncology’s targeted delivery to cancer cells.
Meanwhile, in another biomedical project, University of Notre Dame scientists are currently using the ISS to improve cancer diagnostic tools.
However, the ISS is scheduled to be deconstructed by 2031—though there are concerns that deorbiting the ISS could pollute the ocean and air—so the amount of time for ISS cancer research is limited.
Notably, the other recipient of the Technology in Space Prize, Fourier, is working on developing better shielding technology for sensitive electronics, like satellites, put into low Earth orbit.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from the Hinterlands:
- Furgo is now partnered with Ocean Visions to develop a standardized Environmental Impact Assessment Framework, aiming to expand the ocean’s natural ability to store carbon through increasing ocean alkalinity, cultivating seaweed, and extracting carbon dioxide from ocean water.
- Penguin poop could prove to be a possible means of cooling the climate.
- Scientists have discovered a teenage white dwarf star for the first time.
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The ISS houses groundbreaking cancer research, at least for now
Public domain photo of the International Space Station, courtesy of NASA, via Flickr.
June 20, 2025
Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull brings you weekly under–the–radar stories from around the world. This week in the Hinterlands: The ISS will again play host to groundbreaking cancer research—this time for therapy–resistant cancer cells.
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nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in the Hinterlands, one of the Technology in Space Prize startup company winners will add to groundbreaking ongoing cancer research in space. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include means of increasing the ocean’s natural carbon absorption capacity, research suggesting penguin poop could cool the climate, and the first discovery of a teenage white dwarf star.
Startup RedPoint Oncology aims to develop a targeted cancer treatment for therapy–resistant cancer cells. That goal is a step closer to fruition after the startup was named one of two winners of the Technology in Space Prize. Winners of the prize receive over $650,000 in combined funding, but what makes the prize unique is winners get access to the International Space Station (ISS) for research and development. For RedPoint Oncology, this access is of perhaps incalculable value, as microgravity accelerates and changes cell growth.
The ISS has already seen its fair share of cancer research. In 2019, NASA published its Twin Study, which studied the effects a prolonged space flight could have on a human body. The study's results indicated that microgravity accelerates the growth of stem cells and preleukemic changes. This allowed scientists to develop mini–tumor models and observed how quickly their growth accelerated in space, confirming that the ISS could provide an unparalleled testing ground for cancer research.
In 2024, the ISS National Laboratory partnered with NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences to fund five biomedical research projects, four of which directly relate to cancer research. With this funding, scientists at the University of California, San Diego, will use tumor organoids to see if blocking certain enzymes can halt cancer cell growth. Scientists at the University of Texas will study T cells in microgravity, aiming to develop immunotherapy treatments for cancer and other autoimmune disorders. Scientists at Wake Forest University will also use tumor organoids to see if chemotherapy is more effective in low Earth orbit. And the University of Connecticut scientists are developing cancer therapeutics with Janus–base nanomaterials, ideally targeting medicine delivery to solid tumors. This research will be instrumental in shaping RedPoint Oncology’s targeted delivery to cancer cells.
Meanwhile, in another biomedical project, University of Notre Dame scientists are currently using the ISS to improve cancer diagnostic tools.
However, the ISS is scheduled to be deconstructed by 2031—though there are concerns that deorbiting the ISS could pollute the ocean and air—so the amount of time for ISS cancer research is limited.
Notably, the other recipient of the Technology in Space Prize, Fourier, is working on developing better shielding technology for sensitive electronics, like satellites, put into low Earth orbit.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from the Hinterlands:
- Furgo is now partnered with Ocean Visions to develop a standardized Environmental Impact Assessment Framework, aiming to expand the ocean’s natural ability to store carbon through increasing ocean alkalinity, cultivating seaweed, and extracting carbon dioxide from ocean water.
- Penguin poop could prove to be a possible means of cooling the climate.
- Scientists have discovered a teenage white dwarf star for the first time.
