Nour Jalaleddine; PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Cell and Molecular Biologist
The surge in space missions aimed at reaching Mars and other distant planets has opened new frontiers of scientific research, particularly in the field of Space Biology. Such interest aims to build a better understanding of how the space environment affects the entire living system.
In recent times, Space Biology, particularly in the context of “zero-gravity” or “Microgravity,” has emerged as a captivating and highly relevant scientific field. Extensive documentation confirms that space gravity significantly influences human biological processes, leading to profound effects on our physiology, including muscle atrophy, bone density loss, immune dysfunction, cardiac deconditioning, and endocrine disorders. These physiological changes can pose significant health challenges during long-term space missions.
However, what remains less explored is our understanding of the pathophysiological interferences occurring at the cellular level due to space gravity. Unravelling these intricacies is crucial for advancing our knowledge of space biology and ensuring the well-being of astronauts during extended space voyages.
Identifying the microgravity triggering mechanisms induced at the cellular and molecular levels will not only help better health management up in space but will also help us gain new insights into how we can use such “naturally found-zero gravity” in revealing new opportunities to help to establish novel therapeutic strategies to different Human diseases. I would say, this could be the gate to manage space-health inherited obstacles.
Microgravity as a desirable place for conducting biological science:
Different molecular-based research studies are using microgravity as a novel strategy that may serve as a complementary tool to develop future therapies against different diseases, including cancer. There is a broad selection of microgravity platforms and clinostat systems that have been developed to serve a particular scientific objective. These include 1-,2-, and 3D clinostat systems, random positioning machines equipped with slide flasks (mainly for thyroid cancer cells), NASA-developed rotating wall vessels, and others. Some are designed to cultivate adherent cells and some others are meant for suspension (non-adherent) cells.
Some platforms are also used for online measurements of kinetic responses. 3D cell models could be introduced into such platforms. This allows scientists to study all the molecular markers and the way cells change in response to orbit conditions. So, scientists see it as a test bed.
The bright side of microgravity:
Despite the undeniable health challenges posed by space gravity exposure, the microgravity environment has proven to be a unique opportunity for researchers to delve into biophysical mechanisms. This has led to groundbreaking discoveries in therapeutics for various disease conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders, immunotherapies, and potentially more effective and precise anti-cancer treatments.
Conventionally, scientific investigations into the effects of variables on living organisms involve their removal or the inhibition of the organism’s ability to sense them. Microgravity-related studies, however, elevate this exploration to an advanced level. While we are surrounded by gravity here on Earth, we often overlook its potential as a powerful tool to maintain optimal health at 1G, our natural gravitational force.
During a research project focused on studying the impact of microgravity on Lung cancer progression, I had the privilege of witnessing a remarkable finding. The study revealed that microgravity may lead to a reduced metastatic potential in Lung cancer by downregulating oncogenic markers and upregulating tumor-suppressing genes. Could we dare to call this “A SPACE of HOPE”? It truly opens exciting possibilities for using artificial gravity to improve lifestyle changes and address pathologies caused by various injuries, mirroring the consideration given to astronauts in space. I find great satisfaction in knowing that the United Arab Emirates is actively promoting smart space shuttle experiments and research endeavors in the zero-gravity environment.
