Space Biology

Biomedical R&D in space is no longer a purely scientific pursuit—it is a high-potential driver of innovation. As commercial spaceflight shifts from conceptual to operational, ensuring human health in extreme environments is both a biological imperative and a commercial opportunity. Our biomedical research and development (R&D) team offers targeted expertise in human space biology, radiation medicine, and the field of metabolomics—a powerful tool for precision health monitoring. By integrating molecular insights with translational studies - our research builds scalable, dual-use technologies that serve both astronauts in orbit and markets on Earth and informs the direction of future studies.

Why Biomedical R&D Matters for Commercial Space Travel

Extended human spaceflight introduces serious health risks, including:

Cosmic radiation-induced DNA damage, cancer risk and neuro inflammation
Immune system suppression
Neurocognitive impairment and bone-muscle loss
Microgravity alters muscle, bone, and immune function

Addressing these through countermeasures is not just essential for astronaut health—it’s a gateway to commercial applications in oncology, remote medicine, biotech, and insurance risk modeling.

“Radiation and microgravity accelerate biological aging, offering a fast-track for drug discovery and biomarker development.”

— Garrett-Bakelman et al., Science, 2019 (DOI)

Accelerated Drug Development

Countermeasures targeting radiation-induced DNA damage (e.g., radioprotective agents like amifostine analogues) has dual-use applications—both for space travelers and for cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy (Cucinotta & Durante, 2006). Microgravity affects gene expression and protein folding, enabling faster discovery of drug targets and biological interactions. Companies like Merck and Boehringer Ingelheim have used space-based crystallization to improve drug formulation and delivery (ISSNL, 2022).

Radiation Countermeasures

Radiation research has led to promising radioprotective compounds with dual-use in oncology (radiation therapy), nuclear risk, and defense. ( Suman, & Fornace, 2022)

Countermeasure development against space radiation-induced gastrointestinal carcinogenesis: Current and future perspectives, Life Sciences in Space Research, Volume 35, 2022, Pages 53-59,

Regenerative Medicine

Stem cells behave differently in microgravity, allowing the study of tissue regeneration in new ways. Our studies have informed the direction of future research:

Senescence/SASP signaling in space radiation-induced GI tumorigenesis
Senotherapeutics as a potential medical countermeasure (Suman & Fornace, 2022)

Chancellor, J. C., Scott, G. B. I., & Sutton, J. P. (2014). Space Radiation: The Number One Risk to Astronaut Health beyond Low Earth Orbit. Life, 4(3), 491-510. https://doi.org/10.3390/life4030491

Spin-Offs and Licensing Models

Technologies developed for astronaut health—wearables, predictive diagnostics, metabolic sensors—are being commercialized for Earth markets, especially for aging and elderly care, remote medicine, and sports performance.

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Integrating Metabolomics into Space Health

Metabolomics—the large-scale study of small molecules in biological systems—offers a real-time, systems-level view of human health. It allows us to:

Track stress responses to radiation and microgravity through metabolite biomarkers
Identify early-stage shifts in inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress
Personalize countermeasures based on individual metabolic signatures

Our team applies metabolomics alongside transcriptomics and proteomics, creating multi-omic profiles that guide interventions. This approach was recently validated in NASA’s Twins Study and ongoing ISS-based research (NASA GeneLab, 2023).

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Project Highlights

Senolytics
Radiation
Cancer
Aging
Diseases

Metabolomics image courtesy bruker.com

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