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Human tissue sent into space for the first time

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Human tissue sent into space for the first time

The SIL box is located inside the space container. This shows that he arrived safely at the space station.

The resupply mission, carrying a box of human tissue, launched from Florida on November 5 (ESA).

Human tissue samples have been flown to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of an experiment that could help treat older people.

Researchers at Oxford University’s Space Innovation Laboratory (SIL) prepared them for a resupply mission that took off from Florida on Tuesday.

The samples will be used to study the effect of space microgravity on the human aging process.

SIL chief Dr Ghada Alsale said the “exciting and important project” aims to provide information that could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating age-related diseases.

Reading sign "G17 Tissue culture" filmed inside the laboratoryReading sign "G17 Tissue culture" filmed inside the laboratory

It is hoped that the data obtained from the experiment will lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of degenerative diseases (BBC)

The SIL at the Botnar Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences in the Oxford Nuffield University Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) opened in July 2023 and is the first of its kind in the UK.

Dr Alsaleh said the “really unique” feature of the cube they sent into space was that the box contained a “very small computer and microscope”.

“This allows us to see cells and what is happening in the environment around them, all controlled from our laboratory without the help of astronauts,” she said.

A scientist in blue overalls, blue gloves and a white scarf sits at his desk and points his hands at a technology that looks like a small plastic box. A scientist in blue overalls, blue gloves and a white scarf sits at his desk and points his hands at a technology that looks like a small plastic box.

Dr Alsale explained that their model contains “a very small computer and even a microscope” (BBC).

Graduate student Ariana Portela called the research “surreal.”

“It’s just amazing, it’s a dream come true,” she said.

“I love studying aging and senescence, where cells start to age.”

She explained that the cells are “repaired and cleansed.”

“As people age, these mechanisms stop working,” she said.

The samples will be exposed to microgravity and remain in space for a month.

“When they come back, we’ll check for markers associated with the old cells.”

Ms Portela said she wanted to “try and test a new anti-aging drug for degenerative diseases”.

Graduate student Ariana Portela works on samples in the lab. She uses pink liquid. There are several laboratory containers on the surface in front of her. She looks away, smiling. She is wearing a blue lab coat.Graduate student Ariana Portela works on samples in the lab. She uses pink liquid. There are several laboratory containers on the surface in front of her. She looks away, smiling. She is wearing a blue lab coat.

For PhD student Ariana Portela, taking part in the project is a “dream come true” (BBC)

Using a microscope, researcher Lauren Kell can see how cells change as different features are shown in different colors.

“We can see how this color changes over time – the expression of some proteins associated with aging may become higher,” she said.

“This is the hypothesis we are testing in this project.”

An image of a computer screen showing what the different cells are displaying. The fabric was dyed and the colors blue, green and red could be seen. A researcher's hand in a blue latex glove points to the image.An image of a computer screen showing what the different cells are displaying. The fabric was dyed and the colors blue, green and red could be seen. A researcher's hand in a blue latex glove points to the image.

Researcher Lauren Kell showed what different cells show up in an image of stained tissue (BBC)

Dr Alsale called it “exciting and important”.

“We know that the elderly population has increased on earth, and this is a very good thing – increasing life expectancy,” she said.

“The main problem that affects these people the most is various age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or even osteoarthritis.”

She said the idea for the project came from observing astronauts experiencing joint, muscle and immune system pain after a short time on the ISS.

“It’s like older people suffering on earth after a long period of time,” Dr. Alsaleh said.

If samples age faster in space, scientists will learn more about the process much faster than by studying samples on Earth.

It is hoped that this will lead to new treatments for age-related diseases.

She said: “This will have a big impact not only on the local people, but also on the astronauts.”

If the data collected is positive, they could make a “big achievement” in two years, she added.

Dr. Ghada Alsale and six researchers smile at the camera. She's in the middle wearing a blue coat. All researchers wear white coats.Dr. Ghada Alsale and six researchers smile at the camera. She's in the middle wearing a blue coat. All researchers wear white coats.

Dr Ghada Alsale and her team prepared the samples, which were launched into space on November 5 (University of Oxford Space Innovation Laboratory).

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