Miniature Organs, Maximum Benefits: Tissue Chips in Space
By Loza Taye | September 19th, 2024
Space exploration has always sought to push the boundaries of knowledge and discovery in its quest to explore new frontiers. Tissue chips are powerful tools that can advance human health on Earth and beyond. Also known as organs-on-a-chip, tissue chips are microphysiological systems (MPS) that mimic the structure and function of specific organs. These miniature technologies offer researchers a powerful tool for studying human biology and disease in previously unimaginable ways. Each tissue chip is designed to simulate the microenvironment of a particular organ, complete with tiny channels for fluid flow and compartments for different cell types. They can be used to model diseases, test new drugs, and even personalize medical treatments based on an individual's unique biology.
While tissue chips have already shown great promise in advancing biomedical research here on Earth, their potential in space exploration is equally groundbreaking. One of the critical challenges of long-duration space missions is understanding how the microgravity environment of space affects the human body, particularly in terms of aging. Microgravity poses unique challenges to the human body, affecting everything from bone density and muscle mass to cardiovascular function and immune response. Traditional cell culture methods and animal studies have provided some insights. Still, they often fall short of accurately predicting how humans will respond to space travel. Tissue chips offer a more precise and human-relevant approach, allowing researchers to study the effects of microgravity on human tissues in a controlled laboratory setting.
Sending tissue chips to space allows scientists to observe how these changes manifest at the cellular and molecular levels. For example, a recent study conducted onboard the International Space Station (ISS) used tissue chips to investigate the effects of microgravity on heart function. By comparing the behavior of heart muscle cells in space to those on Earth, researchers were able to gain insights into the mechanisms underlying space-induced cardiac dysfunction. Similar studies have explored the impact of microgravity on lung function, kidney health, and the blood-brain barrier, among other physiological processes.
Developing and deploying tissue chips in space is a testament to the power of collaboration across disciplines. Biomedical engineering and space science, two seemingly disparate fields, are converging to advance this exciting area of research. The ISS and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) are partnering and paving the way for discoveries and innovations in space exploration and healthcare. As scientists venture farther into space, tissue chips will undoubtedly shape the future of space exploration and healthcare.
The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Johns Hopkins University or Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
