Brain and Heart Tissues to Be Sent to Space to Study Human Aging

Scientists are preparing to send new bioengineered human brain and heart tissues to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the SpaceX CRS-35 mission.

The research, to be conducted by specialists from the Icahn School of Medicine in the United States, will focus on how microgravity and space radiation may accelerate aging-related processes in the human body.

The experiment will use an advanced mini-model of the brain grown from human stem cells. It includes not only neurons, but also astrocytes, immune cells, and blood vessels, allowing it to reproduce the structure of the human brain more accurately.

A microchip-based system containing functioning heart organoids derived from donor cells will also be used.

Under weightless conditions, an automated laboratory will stimulate the tissues with electrical impulses every day, conduct tests, and collect samples for microscopic analysis.

The unique conditions of spaceflight can accelerate changes in human cells that resemble aging. Observations in orbit may help scientists study the role of genetic factors, including the APOE4 gene, in the development of neurodegenerative diseases on Earth.

According to the researchers, previous NASA missions mainly tested the resilience of individual heart muscle cells. The new experiment will provide an opportunity to study in greater detail how space conditions affect fully developed blood vessels and neural networks.