A recent research project has entered a new phase as tiny artificial heart-tissue structures, known as cardiac organoids, were sent to the International Space Station. These organoids are being studied to understand the impact of microgravity on human heart tissue.
Dr. Munmun Chattopadhyay, a faculty scientist at Texas Tech Health El Paso, is part of the team conducting research in Earth-based labs to analyze the behavior of these mini-hearts during an extended space flight. The research also aims to provide insights into how diseases such as diabetes affect the heart.
In an interview with Texas Standard, Dr. Chattopadhyay described the cardiac organoids as structures comprising different types of cells found in the heart, including cardiomyocytes, cardio fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. By mixing these cells together, they create a mini heart model to observe the effects of microgravity on the ISS.
The research involves monitoring the growth and behavior of these cells in microgravity conditions aboard the ISS. Additionally, ground experiments are being conducted simultaneously in labs on Earth to compare the outcomes once the organoids return after 21 days.
While it is known that microgravity leads to muscle degeneration in astronauts, resulting in issues like muscle loss and weight reduction, the specific epigenetic changes that occur are not fully understood. The study aims to uncover these changes and provide insights into preventive measures for astronauts’ health in space.
The mini hearts offer a unique opportunity to gather data that would be challenging to obtain directly from astronauts in space. By mimicking the effects of microgravity on the heart, researchers can gain valuable insights that may lead to better preventative measures for muscle degeneration.
Dr. Chattopadhyay expressed excitement about the potential outcomes of the research, particularly in understanding how conditions like diabetes impact the heart. By studying the stress and pathways involved in diabetic hearts on Earth and comparing them to the effects observed in space, the research team hopes to develop improved therapeutic approaches for patients.
Overall, this research project not only sheds light on the impact of microgravity on human heart tissue but also opens up avenues for studying various diseases’ effects on the heart both in space and on Earth. The findings from this study could have significant implications for future space missions and healthcare practices on the ground.
