In an innovative research initiative, a bioengineering student and professor at Oregon State University (OSU) have sent three types of cardiac cells aboard a SpaceX resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The materials orbited for 21 days in November 2024, and upon their return to OSU in mid-December, researchers will investigate the impact of microgravity on cell growth and health.
Ivana Hernandez, a first-year Ph.D. student collaborating with associate professor Binata Joddar, explained, "In space, you don't have gravitational forces pushing on you, so your muscles are not working as hard as they should. Astronauts often face issues like fainting or muscle problems upon returning to Earth. Since the heart is also a muscle, we aim to understand how microgravity induces cardiac atrophy on a cellular level."
The research holds potential benefits for both astronauts and patients on Earth. By understanding the heart's response to spaceflight, the team hopes to develop therapies for cardiac atrophy that could aid astronauts and terrestrial patients suffering from muscular and cardiac diseases.
The samples sent to space included 3D-printed fibrous scaffolds designed for cardiac cells to grow into a cardiac organoid. These were housed in a specialized box with automated imaging and feeding systems to monitor and nourish the cells throughout their journey. The cells were provided with a liquid growth medium containing essential nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins, and glucose.
Hernandez stated, "We've already created this in vitro platform, allowing us to study which therapies can regenerate the heart or reverse disease progression." Upon the samples' return, researchers will analyze cardiac-specific biomarkers to assess changes in cell functionality and explore genetic alterations through RNA sequencing, which is expected to offer valuable insights into the effects of microgravity.
This project is part of a larger NSF-funded initiative that began in 2019 at the University of Texas at El Paso, where Joddar was previously employed. Hernandez completed her master's degree at UT this past summer before relocating to OSU with Joddar, who joined OSU's College of Engineering in the fall.
Hernandez's journey as a Ph.D. student has already been remarkable. She prepared the materials for flight at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and witnessed the rocket launch with her experiment onboard. "It was really exciting. Being from Mexico, my parents were incredibly proud; it's a significant achievement," Hernandez shared. "It's mind-blowing to know my work went to space."