"We want to be a part of the exciting world that space can create, from the UK becoming a launch pad for polar orbit to manufacturing pharmaceuticals and printing organs in microgravity. By embracing the world space can create, we will improve lives."
Andrew Griffith MP and James Cartlidge MP
UK Space Agency Space Industrial Plan 2024
Applications
Cell culture in space offers unique opportunities for scientific research, particularly in the field of tissue engineering and drug development. One of the significant advantages of conducting cell culture experiments in space is the ability to create more physiologically relevant models, particularly through 3D cell culturing techniques. These models better mimic the complexity of human tissues, offering improved predictability in preclinical studies.
Protein crystallization in microgravity offers benefits such as eliminating sedimentation and convection, which hinder crystal growth on Earth. In microgravity, proteins can form larger, more ordered crystals with improved quality, allowing detailed structural analysis using techniques like X-ray crystallography. This enhanced crystal quality can provide valuable insights into protein structure-function relationships, aiding drug discovery, and the development of therapeutics targeting various diseases.
Utilizing Organ on a Chip (OoC) technology in microgravity presents a groundbreaking method for studying human physiology and disease. By mimicking the environmental and functional characteristics of human organs and tissues, OoC systems in microgravity provide representation of the human body, enabling a deeper understanding of tissue microenvironments and organ interactions as a result facilitating the development of novel therapeutics.
Exploring human diseases in microgravity introduces a fresh and promising direction for biomedical research. Microgravity-induced changes in cellular behaviour, gene expression, and signalling pathways offer unique insights into disease mechanisms that may not be fully captured in traditional laboratory settings. This approach holds great potential for advancing our understanding of various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and immune-related conditions, ultimately leading to the development of more effective therapeutic strategies.