When it comes to scientific research in space, the first thing that comes to mind is often the physical study of exploring outer space. But beyond that, there are biological experiments. According to the journal Nature, more than 3,000 experiments have been performed in space to date, 1,200 of which are in the fields of biology and biotechnology, and even more than 300 physical experiments.
Space experiments seem to look at the effects of microgravity and low gravity on water droplets or candle fires, and experiments with these physical properties are easy to show to the public. In contrast, making the results of biological experiments public is undoubtedly a difficult challenge. Did you know that nanoporous sequencing was implemented on the International Space Station in 2016? This was only a year after the release of the "Little Soldier" movie, but no one knew!
A USB-sized sequencer can provide information about the growth of microbes on the International Space Station, but biological experiments are by no means limited to microbes, but also include the human immune system, plant growth, genetic manifestations, neurological diseases, cancer therapies, and greenhouse gas emissions from laboratories on the International Space Station.
Here's a look at the biological experiments we've performed in space:
Effects of microgravity on body systems: Most biological experiments are done through murine experiments or cell culture. Rodents have a shorter life cycle than humans, so they are well suited to study the aging-related complications that humans may experience during spaceflight. In addition, rodents can also be used to study the effects of microgravity on body systems, such as the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, nervous system, and reproductive system.
Myotones Experiment: An experiment led by the European Space Agency (ESA) that not only assists astronauts in addressing the muscle atrophy they face, but also develops and optimizes their rehabilitation plans.
Treat immune diseases: Studies have shown that their immune systems are suppressed as space travels in orbit. We can study how the immune system of these astronauts responds to treat asthma immune diseases, and this mechanism can be used to activate individual immune cells.
Single-strain antibodies make a big move: When it comes to human health, how can you not mention cancer. Experiments in space are nothing more than finding a great weapon to deal with cancer more effectively. Monoclonal antibodies used to treat cancer have low solubility, so they need to be administered with intravenous injection. However, the use of crystallization can concentrate the drug into a small package, so that the drug can be transported over long distances outside the cold chain, and it is more convenient and fast to treat the patient.
Genetically engineered plants: We seek to take root on other planets, and in these new habitats far from home, a self-sufficient approach is still needed. Although gas conversion is easily achieved through chemical methods, how to grow food on the land of these planets is the problem. So scientists have turned to genetic engineering to try to create plants that not only survive in harsh environments, but also have nutritional value.
Finding new habitats for microbes: In recent years, science has revealed the important role that microbes play in our daily lives. But once we leave Earth and move to other planets, can these important microbes survive in new places? Will interaction with the host, the human being, change as a result? To clarify this, a group of Ear Squids (Bobtail Squid) were sent into space with his symbiotic little friend Vibrio fischeri, which appeared on specific organs of the ear squid and made the squid glow in the dark.
Space Travel Challenges for Bacteria: From a microscopic perspective, studies have found that a certain type of bacteria can survive the challenges of space travel. This is undoubtedly a special discovery, and this experiment has led to more claims about the origin of life, or that life was actually brought about by meteorites or cosmic dust? It even deepens the determination of humans to travel to aliens to find habitat.
Twin experiments: Sometimes astronauts become subjects instead of test subjects. A popular twin experiment at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is to study how long-term activity affects twins with the same genetic structure, and how low gravity affects them in different environmental conditions. Reversible differences were observed in telomere length, gene expression, and even microbial composition. The increase in short telomeres and the loss of certain gene expressions clearly provide important clues to the risks of spaceflight.
Now that many companies are actively trying to explore other planets to perpetuate human existence, will biological exploration in space become the next plan to be a utopia?
While novel technologies, such as the availability of CRISPR, have revealed to humans the possibility of exploring uncharted territory, He Jiankui's gene-edited baby experiments have also caused an uproar.
When allowing astronauts to perform these experiments, they should also carefully consider the danger that they may be exposed to deadly aliens. This is where scientific ethics need to be carefully weighed.