NASA Ames Research Center’s Post

Science News this month brings groundbreaking discoveries: a DNA-repairing protein with potential for cancer vaccines, NASA's delayed astronaut return, record-breaking atomic imaging resolution, and the mystery of earthworms' chaotic genomes. Stay tuned for more updates. #ScienceNews #Microlit #ScienceUpdates #Physics #Stemscience #DNA #Cancer #NASA #Microlit #MicrolitIndia #MicrolitUSA #MicrolitBrazil

🚀🌌 Groundbreaking Milestone Achieved! 🌌🚀 Today morning, we at Encapsulate have received our pioneering colorectal cancer biochip samples from the vast expanse of space, after rotating 620 times around the globe (yes, ~15 times a day!). This audacious venture, undertaken in collaboration with International Space Station National Laboratory, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Space Tango and SpaceX propels us into a new era of scientific discovery and innovation. Over the last ~40 days, we have closely monitored the tumor responses to a variety of treatment options, and now we are performing the very last stage of analysis prior to revealing the outcomes to the science community. These celestial samples represent not just a triumph of technology and tenacity but a beacon of hope in our relentless quest to conquer cancer. As we analyze these extraordinary specimens, we are on the cusp of potentially transformative breakthroughs that could dramatically enhance treatment paradigms and patient care. We extend our deepest gratitude to the brilliant minds and steadfast spirits of everyone involved in this mission. Together, we are not just reaching for the stars—we are harnessing their potential to illuminate the path to healing and hope for millions affected by cancer worldwide. 🌟 Stay connected for updates as we unlock the secrets of these cosmic treasures. The future of cancer treatment is on the horizon, and it is brighter than ever before. #Encapsulate #CancerResearch #InnovativeScience #InSPa #SpaceExploration #HealingHumanity #Biotechnology https://lnkd.in/e8i3C8Ac

This is a first for Organoids- Brain Organoids from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients heading over to space with NASA Expedition 71 : to gain insights into effects of extended space flights on brain function and also to dig deep into mechanisms of Aging.

International Space Station Microgravity Laboratory for Humanity! For 25 years, more than 270 astronauts from 22 countries aboard the International Space Station have conducted science in a way that cannot be done anywhere else. Orbiting about 250 miles above our planet, the space station at 17,500 miles per hour is the only laboratory available for long-duration microgravity research that is unlocking discoveries not possible on Earth, and helping us push farther into deep space. During the past two decades, this research not only helps us explore farther into space, it also benefits us back on Earth related to fundamental disease research for Alzheimer, Parkinson, Cancer, Asthma and Heart. Microgravity research has provided new insights to scientists studying these diseases. Without the interference of Earth’s gravity, Alzheimer’s researchers have studied protein clusters that can cause neurodegenerative diseases. Cancer researchers studied the growth of endothelial cells on the space station. Endothelial cells help supply blood in the body, and tumors need that blood to form. Space station-grown cells grow better than those on Earth and can help test new cancer treatments. Studying cells, organoids, and protein clusters without the influence of gravity or even the forces of container walls can help researchers get a clearer understanding of their properties, behaviors, and responses to treatments. The space station is a tool that provides new perspectives to the fight against diseases affecting millions of people that scientists have been working to combat for generations. Credit: #NASA #ISS https://lnkd.in/disS8Dmf

Human #space exploration poses inherent risks to #astronauts health, leading to molecular changes that can significantly impact their well-being. These alterations encompass #genomics instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased #inflammation, homeostatic dysregulation, and various #epigenomic changes. Remarkably, these changes bear similarities to those observed during the #aging process on Earth. Gene expression responses for DNA (#dna) damage, #immune activation, #mitochondrial disruption, #frailty, #sarcopenia, accelerated health risks in multiple organs, and #telomere regulation were observed, consistent with prior #spaceflight missions. NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration #nih National Institute on Aging (NIA) The National Institutes of Health #regenerativemedicine #neurodegeneration #cancer #radiation https://lnkd.in/eHqKzEjK

🚀 Did you know that tiny transistors—MOSFETs—almost jeopardised a NASA mission? These small but mighty components are vulnerable to the extreme radiation in space, especially around Jupiter! But MOSFETs aren’t just for space. 🌍🔬 Researchers at ANSTO and University of Wollongong are using them to monitor radiation for life-saving treatments like Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) for cancer. 🌌 Meanwhile, NASA’s engineers had to “heal” the MOSFETs to make sure the Europa Clipper survives Jupiter’s intense radiation. 💡 One technology, two incredible uses—exploring the cosmos and advancing cancer therapy. That’s the power of science! 🙌 🔗 Link in bio to learn more - https://bit.ly/3YjAgTS #ScienceAndInnovation #RadiationDetection #SpaceExploration #HealthcareTechnology #ANSTO #LinkedInScience #MissionDrivenResearch

It has been an eventful fortnight! Last week I passed my PhD viva. This week I started a new research placement investigating genetic variant effect predictors for rare disease with Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, and a few papers I worked on during my PhD are out as part of a huge Nature Portfolio #spacebiology community package. Some quick paper summaries: Transcriptomics analysis reveals molecular alterations underpinning spaceflight dermatology 🤚 https://lnkd.in/dZzrjgJC: We analysed data from mice and humans flown to space across different missions to highlight the impact of mission factors, such as collagen gene regulation from hypergravity during landing, and to identify molecular patterns including impaired skin barrier function (Filaggrin is a particular gene to follow-up on!) - which may underlie the commonality of skin problems reported by astronauts and could hopefully serve as a path towards prevention. Astronaut omics and the impact of space on the human body at scale 👨🚀 https://lnkd.in/d6vdTAgW: We discuss the history and future of international human spaceflight from an omics perspective, including routinely collecting multi-omics from astronauts, spaceflight personalised medicine, and challenges of astronaut personal data policy. Spaceflight induces changes in gene expression profiles linked to insulin and oestrogen 💉 https://lnkd.in/dqhe2-2r: In this multi-tissue analysis we found spaceflight induced changes in insulin and oestrogen signalling in rodents and humans, with important implications for reproductive and metabolic health in space. Lots of other interesting papers in the #spaceomics package at the collection page: https://lnkd.in/dMgrxWXJ or snazzy landing page: https://lnkd.in/d9BMAbt7 LinkedIn won't let me tag everyone but thanks for all of the collaborators and datasets that were made accessible NASA GeneLab, SpaceX #Inspiration4, Jonas Elsborg, Pinar Avci, Afshin Beheshti, Matt MacKay, Lindsay Rutter, Christopher Mason, Masafumi Muratani, Stefania Giacomello, Begum Mathyk. It's an incredible community. I'd like to give a special thanks to Nathaniel Szewczyk for his amazing supervision throughout my PhD. #HorizonCDT #EPSRC #spaceomics ISSOP- International Standards for Space Omics Processing

NASA is taking its mission beyond space exploration to bring comfort to young cancer patients. 🚀 “MISSION: All Systems GO!” connects the challenges of space travel to treatment journeys, inspiring kids through astronaut-led videos, mission certificates, and more. Developed with Fred Hutch Cancer Center and part of the Biden Cancer Moonshot, this program transforms treatment experiences, offering hope and support during difficult times 💙 https://lnkd.in/gGfuKBwJ #cancercare #nasa #missionallgo

⚡️🇪🇺Horizon Europe Missions … what’s the state of play? 📣When the European Commission launched its current research and innovation (R&I) framework programme – Horizon Europe (2021-2027) – much was made of a novel feature, called “missions”, aimed at tackling some of society’s greatest challenges. 💡The Horizon Missions were inspired by the United States’ now famous 1960s ‘moonshot’ Apollo space programme which NASA today calls a “dramatic and ambitious goal [involving] enormous human efforts and expenditures to make [it] a reality by 1969”. Combining R&I with new forms of #governance, #citizen #engagement and #collaboration, the European Commission named five societal challenges to be tackled through its own series of moonshot missions: 1️⃣) #cancer, 2️⃣) #climateChange, 3️⃣) #healthyOceanswater, 4️⃣) #climateNeutral/ #smartCities, and 5️⃣) #soilHealth Read more : https://lnkd.in/dVM4T36V #EUAfrica #HorizonEU #EUMissions #Research #innovation #Collaboration #Europe #Africa

Spaceflight induces significant changes in astronauts' 🧑🚀 immune responses. To better understand this phenomenon, Christopher Mason David Furman JangKeun Kim and others have generated comprehensive single-cell, multi-ome, cell-free RNA (cfRNA), biochemical, and hematology data from the SpaceX Inspiration4 (I4) mission crew. Their analysis revealed alterations in 18 cytokines/chemokines related to inflammation, aging, and muscle homeostasis post-spaceflight. In the I4 single-cell multi-omics data, they also identified a distinct "spaceflight signature" of gene expression characterized by enrichment in oxidative phosphorylation, UV response, immune function, and TCF21 pathways. This signature was validated in independent datasets, including the NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Twins Study, I4 skin spatial transcriptomics, and 817 NASA GeneLab mouse 🐭 transcriptomes. Notably, they observed up-regulation of FOXP3 in T cells, long-term suppression of MHC class I genes, and shifts in infection-related immune pathways associated with microbiome 🧫 changes. This study has uncovered conserved and unique immune disruptions due to spaceflight and outlines potential countermeasures to maintain astronaut health on long-duration missions. See https://lnkd.in/ei6SCzEg for the full text article under SOMA