On March 7, NASA announced the selection of 10 investigations for the study
of identical twin astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly and, in
doing so, launched human space life science research into a new era. Although NASA’s Human Research
Program has been researching the effects of spaceflight on the human body
for decades, these 10 investigations will provide NASA with broader insight into
the subtle effects and changes that may occur in spaceflight as compared to
Earth-based environments. NASA and the National Space Biomedical Research
Institute (NSBRI) will jointly manage this ambitious new undertaking.
“We realized this is a unique opportunity to perform a class of novel studies
because we had one twin flying aboard the International Space
Station and one twin on the ground,” says Craig Kundrot, Ph.D. and deputy
chief scientist of NASA’s Human Research Program. “We can study two individuals
who have the same genetics, but are in different environments for one
year.”
Astronauts Mark Kelly and Scott Kelly are pictured
participating in the Joint STS-134, Expedition 25 and Expedition 26 ISS
Emergency Scenario training
Image Credit:
NASA
Astronauts Mark Kelly (right), STS-124 commander,
and Scott Kelly are pictured in the check-out facility at Ellington Field near
NASA's Johnson Space Center as the STS-124 crewmembers prepare for a flight to
Kennedy Space Center in NASA T-38 trainer jets.
Image Credit:
NASA
HRP Twins Study Video
Image Credit:
NASA
The investigations, which were picked from a pool of 40 proposals, introduce
to space physiology the field of –omics,
the integrated study of DNA, RNA, and the entire complement of biomolecules in
the human body. Studying human physiology at this fundamental level will provide
NASA and the broader spaceflight community with unique information. This is
because these tiny components of the human body tell researchers volumes about
an individual’s composition and their reaction to stressors like those
associated with spaceflight. Investigating the subtle changes – or lack thereof
– between the Kelly brothers at this level, after Scott’s year in space and
Mark’s year on Earth, could shed light between the nature vs. nurture aspect of
the effects of spaceflight on the human body.
The studies will focus on four areas: human physiology, behavioral health,
microbiology/microbiome,
and molecular or -omics studies. Human physiological investigations will look at
how the spaceflight environment may induce changes in different organs like the
heart, muscles or brain within the body. Behavioral health investigations will
help characterize the effects spaceflight may have on perception and reasoning,
decision making and alertness. The microbiology/microbiome investigations will
explore the brothers’ dietary differences and stressors to find out how both
affect the organisms in the twins’ guts. Lastly, but potentially opening a whole
new realm of information about humans exposed to the spaceflight environment are
the molecular or -omics investigations. These studies will look at the way
genes in the cells are turned on and off as a result of spaceflight; and how
stressors like radiation, confinement and microgravity prompt changes in the
proteins and metabolites gathered in biological samples like blood, saliva,
urine and stool.
Some of the investigations are brand new, some are already being considered
as part of the research plans for the one-year
mission set for 2015, and some are already being performed with crews living
aboard the space station for six-month durations. These will allow the agency to
build upon existing knowledge about long duration spaceflight.
Although the investigations conducted on the Kelly brothers are not expected
to provide definitive data about the effects of spaceflight on individuals —
because there are only two subjects for data collection — they do serve as a
demonstration project for future research initiatives. These investigations may
identify changes to pursue in research of larger astronaut populations.
“This is a unique opportunity for the agency,” says Kundrot. “The
investigations are a pathfinder for the agency with regard to the study of
astronaut physiology.”
“This pilot project will, for the first time in space, integrate physiology
with 21st century -omics techniques currently performed at leading
medical schools and hospitals,” says Graham Scott, NSBRI chief scientist.
Who knew the next big thing in space life science would be so
subtle?
NASA Selects 10 Proposals for Unprecedented Twin
Astronaut Study
Only one set of twins has ever been into space, and now those twins are
providing an unprecedented opportunity for scientists to understand better the
effects of microgravity on the human body.
NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) will fund 10 short-term,
first-of-its-kind investigations into the molecular, physiological and
psychological effects of spaceflight in a continuous effort to reduce the health
impacts of human space exploration. The National Space Biomedical Research
Institute is partnering with HRP to provide genetic counseling and assisting in
the management of the research.
This unique opportunity is made possible by NASA's decision to fly veteran
astronaut Scott Kelly aboard the International Space Station for one year,
beginning March 2015, while his identical twin brother, retired astronaut Mark
Kelly, remains on Earth.
This study will focus in part on the comparison of blood samples collected
from Scott and Mark at regular intervals before, during and after the one-year
mission. Physiological and psychological testing also will be conducted on the
brothers before, during and after the mission.
Scientific and technical experts from academia and government reviewed 40
proposals submitted in response to the research announcement "Human Exploration
Research Opportunities - Differential Effects on Homozygous Twin Astronauts
Associated with Differences in Exposure to Spaceflight Factors." The 10 selected
proposals, which are from 10 institutions in seven states, will receive a
combined $1.5 million during a three-year period.
HRP regularly assesses crew health and performance during spaceflight to
evaluate associated risks. From these assessments, HRP develops strategies to
monitor and mitigate these risks. These studies often have the considerable
added benefit of advancing health care for people on Earth.
For a complete list of the selected proposals, principal investigators and
organizations, visit:
For information about NASA's Human Research Program, visit:
For information on the National Space Biomedical Research Institute,
visit:
For information about the International Space Station, its crews and
research, visit:
Guillermo Gonzalo Sánchez Achutegui
ayabaca@gmail.com
ayabaca@hotmail.com
ayabaca@yahoo.com
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario