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Now in space, scientists are developing tiny three-dimensional models of human organs. What may feel like a scene straight out of a sci-fi movie is actually a relatively new application of a type of research that is already breaking the boundaries of discovery on Earth.
From a small beating heart to “mini brain”, so-called organoids are usually grown from human stem cells with the help of a cocktail of growth chemicals. Self-assemble into 3D structures Similar to human body tissue. Different from traditional animal modelsOrganoids from mice and monkeys allow scientists to more accurately recreate the unique complexity of human organs. These tiny organs can therefore help reveal which compounds actually work in humans and which don’t, potentially helping to accelerate drug development.
Organoid research can be described as out of this world. In some cases, that’s literally true.
Since 2019, smaller models of organs have appeared. brain, heart and chest — grown on the International Space Station (ISS). But this study raises questions. Why are scientists building tiny organs in space?
Related: Tiny testicles grown in a lab look real under a microscope
Aging of organoids in microgravity
One reason is that the harsh environment of space could help scientists study aging and related diseases that affect humans back on Earth.
Alison MuotriA professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is sending human stem cells to the ISS. many yearswith the goal of growing brain organoid Model various diseases.obstacles such as Alzheimer’s disease Although it can take decades for a person to develop symptoms, research shows that low gravity in space can promotes cellular aging. Therefore, studying brain organoids in a microgravity environment could help scientists pinpoint how age-related changes occur and devise treatments to prevent them.
Many approaches to modeling the aging brain have involved stressing neurons in laboratory dishes, for example by adding certain chemicals. But these experiments don’t capture what actually happens as the body ages, Muotri told Live Science. “It’s not received like a cascade of molecules in the body. brain It ages overnight,” he said.
The team’s organoid research NASA twin researchduring which astronaut Scott Kelly space for one year Meanwhile, his identical twin brother Mark remained on Earth.When Scott returned, he showed signs of hardening Decline in cognitive function compared to his brother. For example, he found it difficult to learn and memorize things.
Muotri said it’s unclear why this effect was seen.According to one theory, microgravity may be the cause. reduce activity An enzyme called telomerase helps reverse the natural process. DNA at our end chromosome shorten As we get older, he said, These aglets at the ends of our DNA are telomeresAnd since telomere shrinkage is associated with aging, some scientists believe that: Lengthening telomeres may help fight aging and extend human lifespan.
In a future paper, Muotri and his team plan to describe in more detail how the brain organoids behave on the ISS, but from what we know so far, organoids that have already returned to Earth are likely to experience accelerated aging. Muotri said there are signs that there is. Brain organoids exhibit hallmarks of neurological diseases, such as degeneration and cellular stress, which are commonly seen in several conditions. This has allowed researchers to test new drug candidates for these diseases, resulting in promising early discoveries.
“The first paper will report on drugs for treating brain diseases discovered in space,” Muotri said. However, the exact publication date has not yet been confirmed.
Related: The first is a “mini brain” grown from fetal brain tissue.
a small tumor in space
NASA’s twin research also provided inspiration Another UCSD research team To grow organoids in space, but they are tiny tumors rather than mini-brains. Leading the team is Dr Catriona JamiesonProfessor of Medicine.
When Scott Kelly returned to Earth, he found signs of telomere shortening, DNA damage, and signaling molecules in his blood that are known to activate certain genes that allow cancer to grow and spread. It turns out that there is something. This suggests that stressful situations in space may provide some stimulus. cancer Jamieson told Live Science:
The research team started by sending blood stem cells into space, and then just one month, the cells showed signs of turning on genetic mutations associated with cancer. These changes were linked to abnormal cell growth and division.
The researchers then sent tumor organoid models of leukemia, colon cancer, and breast cancer into space with commercial space agencies. axiom mission 1. They also found that the model grew “dramatically” while onboard. Cells within the organoids also switched on a gene called ADAR1. ADAR1 encodes an enzyme that is thought to: allow cancer to grow. In separate experiments, the research team was able to show that two drugs that inhibit ADAR1 (fedratinib and revecinib) can slow the growth of small tumors.
Now, as part of the latest launch to the ISS in January 2024, the team is testing the cancer-busting potential of these drugs on more breast cancer organoids.
“We are very pleased to work with NASA to accelerate the development of the world’s first intravenously administered small molecule ADAR inhibitor,” Jamieson said.
Related: Scientists develop ‘crying’ model of human eye tissue
The future of organoids in space
This research aims not only to help astronauts in space, but also to protect people on Earth. For example, Jamieson envisions that people participating in commercial space flights could one day be given a pill before they take off to prevent stem cells in their blood from turning into cancer. Back Earthside, researchers plan to use their discoveries in space to begin clinical trials of revecinib later this year. myelofibrosisa blood cancer that leaves scars in the bone marrow.
Other researchers are taking advantage of the potential dual benefits of this type of extraterrestrial research.They include: Katherine YongHe is an associate professor at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy and his team is studying how the aging environment accelerates in space. affects the kidneys.
Rather than organoids, Yeung’s team uses a different model of human tissue, known as a .organ on chipThe technology mimics human tissue on a credit card-sized device and is thought to be complementary to organoids.
Related: Scientists invent first ‘vagina-on-a-chip’
“If we can learn something from space that can help treat conditions on Earth, I think that’s the most important goal. I don’t know if we have to choose one over the other,” Yang said. he told Live Science.
Muotri said growing organoids on the ISS is very different from growing them on Earth. For example, there are limits to the amount of laboratory equipment you can have, and there’s always the risk that a rocket launch will be canceled at the last minute, he said. Jamieson said returning organoids to Earth can be very “dangerous” as the cargo carried by the spacecraft often ends up in the ocean.
Nevertheless, experts hope to use these organoids to break through new areas of discovery.
“I’m excited to work in space,” Jamison said. “I think this is literally a cancer moonshot. We’ve found a switch that kills cancer.”
Have you ever wondered why? Some people gain muscle more easily than others. or Why do freckles stand out in the sun?? Please send us your questions about how the human body works. community@livescience.com You may be able to see the answer to your question on the website by using the subject line “Health Desk Q”.
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