Human Tissue Samples Launched to ISS for Aging Research

Human tissue samples have been transported to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of an experiment with potential applications for treating individuals in old age. Researchers from the University of Oxford’s Space Innovation Lab (SIL) prepared these samples for a resupply mission that commenced from Florida on Tuesday. The samples are intended for studying the impact of space micro-gravity on the human aging process. Dr. Ghada Alsaleh, the lead for SIL, characterized the endeavor as an “exciting and important project” aimed at acquiring knowledge that could lead to significant advancements in understanding and treating age-related diseases. The SIL, located at the Botnar Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences within Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), was established in July 2023 and is the first facility of its kind in the UK. Dr. Alsaleh noted that a “really unique” aspect of the cube sent into space was the integration of “a very small computer and a microscope” within the container. She explained, “That allows us to see the cells and what happens in the media around it, all controlled from our lab without the help of astronauts.” PhD student Ariana Portela described the study as “surreal.” “It’s absolutely amazing, it’s a dream come true,” she said. “I love studying ageing and senescence, which is when the cells start getting older.” She further clarified that cells “regenerate and clean themselves.” “When people get older, these mechanisms stop working,” she observed. The samples will be exposed to micro-gravity and will remain in space for a duration of one month. “When they come back, we’ll test markers associated with old cells.” Ms. Portela expressed her objective to “try and test a new drug target for degenerative diseases to combat ageing.” Through a microscope, researcher Loren Kell can observe how the cells transform as various characteristics become visible in different colors. She elaborated, “We might see these colour changing over time – some proteins associated with ageing might become higher in expression.” “That’s the hypothesis we’re testing with this project.” Dr. Alsaleh described the initiative as “exciting and important.” She stated, “We know that the elderly population has increased on earth, which is a very good thing – to increase the life span.” “The main issue that these people mostly suffer from is different age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s or even osteoarthritis.” She mentioned that the inspiration for the project arose from observing astronauts experiencing pain in their joints, muscles, and immune system after a brief period spent on the ISS. “This is similar to what elderly people suffer on earth after a long period,” Dr. Alsaleh remarked. If the samples age more rapidly in space, scientists will gain insights into the process considerably faster than through Earth-based studies. This accelerated understanding is anticipated to lead to new treatments for age-related diseases. She concluded, “This would have a great impact for people here, but also for the astronauts.” If the collected data proves positive, she indicated that “a great achievement” could be realized within two years. For updates, BBC Oxfordshire can be followed on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.