DT News - Pakistan - $1m US Air Force grant for groundbreaking space health study

Dental Tribune Pakistan

Wed. 29 November 2023

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Associate Professor Kate Poole of UNSW Medicine & Health has secured a substantial $1 million grant from the US Air Force's Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development for her research into the effects of reduced gravity on terrestrial life, contributing valuable insights into the health impacts of space travel on living organisms.
During and post-space missions, astronauts grapple with numerous health challenges, such as the loss of bone and muscle mass, noted Prof Poole, underscoring the need to comprehend these issues for future space exploration endeavors.
With humanity's aspirations extending towards Mars and beyond, understanding how Earth's gravitational forces influence living organisms and their potential variations in reduced gravity environments becomes crucial, she adds.
Prof Poole's research will center on key molecules pivotal in altering biological systems under reduced gravity conditions. The primary objective is to establish a fundamental understanding of how spaceflight affects the functionality of these molecules.
As NASA pledges to send humans to Mars by the 2030s, a fundamental comprehension of how spaceflight impacts biological systems is crucial for enhancing health outcomes for astronauts and addressing the necessities of sustaining longer missions, including growing food, says Prof Poole, highlighting the broader implications of her research.
Prof Adrienne Torda, Interim Dean of UNSW Medicine & Health, extended congratulations to Poole for securing the grant, anticipating the progress of the research, emphasizing its focus on the impacts of reduced gravity on biological functions.
The initial phase of the study sought to investigate the role of force-sensing molecules in detecting changes in gravity. However, Prof Poole's team discovered that the effects of microgravity on living systems likely stem from fundamental changes within these systems themselves.
To simulate the weightlessness experienced in space, Poole's team will use a microgravity simulator in their laboratory. Changes in the shape of human red blood cells were observed after just two hours in microgravity. Subsequent steps will involve exploring the mechanisms behind these shape changes and their impact on cell function.
This research on red blood cells could offer insights into the loss of red blood cells experienced by astronauts during space travel, potentially leading to spaceflight-related anemia.
Prof Poole stressed the importance of understanding these underlying processes, stating, "Like any discovery science, understanding how a system works provides a starting point for finding ways to manipulate it. The more we comprehend the underlying process, the better equipped we are to mitigate the negative impacts of microgravity."
She also acknowledged the challenges associated with studying earth-based biology in microgravity, highlighting the complexity of this field.