KSC-2010-2411

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Inside a laboratory in the Space Station Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency scientist prepares samples for the Molecular Mechanism of Microgravity-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy – Physiological Relevance of Cbl-b Ubiquitin Ligase, or MyoLab, experiment. MyoLab will be delivered to the International Space Station aboard Discovery on the STS-131 mission. MyoLab will study a rat muscle gene modified cell line to determine the effects of microgravity. The MyoLab experiment is one of several biology and biotechnology, human research, physical, materials science and technology experiments that will be delivered to the space station aboard Discovery. The STS-131 mission also will deliver the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo, filled with resupply stowage platforms and science racks. STS-131, scheduled to launch at 6:21 a.m. on April 5, will be the 33rd shuttle mission to the station and the 131st shuttle mission overall. For more information on the mission and crew, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_shuttlemissions_sts131_index.htm. Photo credit: NASA_Jim Grossmann