Pulse

NASA scientists share their research at EVMS

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Four NASA scientists will be on campus to share their research projects ahead of the next rocket launch to the International Space Station. The talks will be held in-person on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at noon in Waitzer Hall, room 300. To RSVP, please email EVMS Research at evmsresearch@evms.edu. Pizza will be provided for attendees who RSVP by noon on Friday, Oct. 28. For questions, please contact Betty Virok at virokeb@evms.edu. 

Presentation topics:

Protection Mediated by Antioxidant NanoTechnology Against Neuronal Damage in Space.

Investigation proposes the use of polydopamine-based nanoparticles (NPs) to provide 1) antioxidant protection, and 2) catecholaminergic support to neurons undergoing exposure to altered gravity and radiation. The focus is on neuronal cells involved in cognitive and motor functions both in space, where any behavioral impairments pose significant risks to astronauts, and on Earth where dopaminergic neuron loss underlying Parkinson’s disease progression still requires effective contrast. This project in particular aims at exploring the connection between spaceflight and oxidative stress by discriminating the effects of microgravity from those of cosmic radiation, and at providing nanotechnology countermeasures to short- and potentially long-term alterations of the CNS due to spaceflight-induced reduction/oxidation (redox) reaction imbalance. This project also aspires to provide relevant evidence and therapeutic tools for the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease on Earth.

Project EAGLE: Engineering Stem Cell-Derived Cardiac Microtissues with Metabolic Regulators in Space to Promote Cardiomyocyte Maturation. 

Investigation proposes human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs) are engineered into cardiac microtissues and frozen. The microtissues are thawed and maintained in a maturation medium upon arrival at the International Space Station (ISS) and compared to those cultured under standard ground conditions.  Cellular and molecular characteristics of hiPSC-CMs, including cell proliferation, viability, and gene expression are analyzed. To examine whether spaceflight affects cardiomyocyte function, molecular and functional studies are conducted on viable cells returned to Earth.  Exposure of hiPSC-CM microtissues to microgravity in space reduces shear stress and consequently enhances cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions within multicellular architectures. Such enhanced interactions are expected to affect molecular and functional properties of cells and accelerate maturation of hiPSC-CMs.

The Modulation of Granulosa and Theca Cells Activity in Microgravity: Consequences for Human Health and

Reproduction (OVOSPACE) project.

Investigates how Granulosa cells (GCs) and Theca cells (TCs) from mammalian ovaries could be affected in their endocrine function when exposed to microgravity. GCs play a critical role in modulating oocyte maturation and fertility. TCs provide structural integrity for the follicle, which surround the mural granulosa cells. These cells interact in the steroidogenic process: TCs produce androgens which in turn are aromatized in estrogens by GCs. The research program - in principle - may provide useful information about how biophysical forces (i.e., microgravity) can participate in driving developmental processes, and gather new data in support of an integrated theoretical model of organogenesis. Moreover, this kind of study may help in identification those tipping points that are true targets for future pharmacological interventions aimed at modulating ovary function and reproductive potential. If

weightlessness impairs ovary function, that could affect fertility in humans living for extended periods of time on the Moon and Mars. Results could improve understanding of egg development and identify targets for countermeasures and treatments to protect ovary function and reproductive potential. This could support development of treatments to improve or restore fertility in people on Earth.

SHAPE (SpHeroid Aggregation & viability in sPacE)

Alterations of the immune system seriously impair the ability of the host to combat infections during future long-duration space missions. Inertial factors (i.e. micro- or hypergravity conditions during the different phases of spaceflight), chronic exposure to low-level radiation and psychological stress related to a long-lasting mission affect the immune system. Indeed, previous research shows that the immune system is affected at all levels during space missions, from hematopoiesis to acquired immunity. Although the response of the immune system represents a crucial issue during the preparation of long-term manned space missions, the data collected so far is not conclusive. This is due to a small sample size and the highly variable response obtained from previous flights.

SHAPE aims at overcoming these experimental challenges by employing a well-defined and physiologically relevant model systems as well as an appropriate number of specimens for robust statistics. To this aim, the science team uses a three-dimensional spheroid model of the human bone marrow (hBM-spheroids). The hBM spheroids recapitulate in vitro the three-dimensional compartments of the human bone marrow. The bone marrow is composed by two main cell compartments: mesenchymal stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells. The mesenchymal stem cells residing in the bone marrow regulate the hematopoietic stem cells that give rise to the myeloid and lymphoid lineages of the immune system.

NEMUCO – Co-Culture of muscle cells and motoneurons

Chronic muscle unloading due to musculoskeletal impairments like auto-immune neuromuscular diseases, myopathies, denervation during polyneuropathy, aging process or long-term bedrest and muscle unloading in space results in a significant decline in neuromuscular junction (NMJ) structure and function, with significant impact on muscle mass control and thus fine motor performance.

Myoblasts differentiated in vitro generate myotubes that, in presence of α-motoneurons, develop a cell-cell contact resembling NMJ-like structure. We want to determine whether the NMJ morphology develops properly under microgravity (μg) environment conditions and further investigate the subcellular organization of the NMJ postsynaptic domain in μg vs. ground-based control.