Nicosia, Cyprus. Researchers at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics have identified genes consistently affected by exposure to weightlessness, in findings that could support astronaut protection during future space missions.
The research examined how space conditions alter the human body at a cellular level, according to Professor George Spyrou, who led the team.
Cellular effects of space conditions
The researchers analysed large biological datasets, including data from human cells exposed to microgravity.
They identified changes in genes linked to cardiovascular function, inflammation, cellular repair and the body’s natural stress defence mechanisms.
“Weightlessness, increased cosmic radiation and intense cellular stress cause changes in the body that we are still trying to fully understand,” Spyrou told the Cyprus News Agency.
Potential use of existing medicines
The team also used computational methods to examine whether existing medicines could potentially be repurposed to reduce some effects associated with space travel.
Spyrou said the research aimed to identify changes in gene behaviour, affected cellular functions and mechanisms central to the body’s response in space.
Space biology database
Alongside the research, the team developed an online database combining information from space biology studies to help scientists analyse data more quickly.
“Our goal was to create an infrastructure that would facilitate research and accelerate the discovery of new knowledge about human health in space,” Spyrou said.
The work is part of a collaboration between the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus’ space exploration organisation through the Space Research and Innovation Centre project.