Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #30935: Miniature Organs in Orbit: How Organ-Chips Unlock Gut Health Mysteries in Space

When astronauts journey beyond Earth's comforting atmosphere, their bodies face many changes. One key area of concern is how the gastrointestinal (GI) system reacts to prolonged weightlessness and radiation. The 'Organ-Chips as a Platform for Studying Effects of Space on Human Enteric Physiology' experiment tackled this by sending miniaturized versions of human intestines—called organ-chips—into orbit.

Organ-chips are small, clear devices about the size of a USB stick, containing human cells grown to mimic the structure and function of full-sized organs. This experiment allowed researchers to observe how microgravity influences nutrient absorption, immune response, and gut microbiota, all without needing actual human gut biopsies in space.

The technology was developed by Emulate Bio and sent to space aboard a mission orchestrated by Space Tango, using NASA’s resources on Expedition 61/62. By using the ISS as a testbed, scientists gathered data impossible to replicate on Earth, gaining valuable insights for both space travel and gastrointestinal health on Earth.

The research holds promise not only for astronaut health during long-term missions but also for improving treatments for GI diseases such as Crohn’s or irritable bowel syndrome.

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