Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31035: How Microgravity Sheds Light on Aging and Stem Cell Healing

The aging process, especially its effect on our immune system and our body’s ability to repair itself, is still not fully understood. But what if space could help us learn more? That’s exactly the goal of the experiment titled “Microgravity as a Model for Immunological Senescence and its Impact on Tissue Stem Cells and Regeneration,” led by Dr. Sonja Schrepfer from the University of California, San Francisco.

As we age, our immune system becomes weaker—a process known as immunological senescence. This experiment investigates how being in space, where gravity is nearly nonexistent, affects this process and the behavior of tissue stem cells. Because microgravity mimics some of the effects of aging, it’s a powerful tool to study this in a short time.

Researchers sent cells to the International Space Station (ISS) to see how microgravity alters the function of immune cells and regenerative tissue. They want to learn how these cells behave differently from those on Earth. What they find could help create therapies for age-related diseases, enhance stem cell therapies, and even assist astronauts on long-duration missions.

This study shows how unique environments like the ISS can be a laboratory for medical breakthroughs that benefit everyone back on Earth. Aging research, combined with space science, might one day help extend healthy human life and speed up healing after injuries.

Join the Agnirva Space Internship Program

Get certified with over 100 hours of immersive, self-paced learning in astronomy, cosmology, space technology, and climate science through the Agnirva Space Internship Program. Join, complete virtual projects, and earn a digital certificate to showcase your space fluency in interviews, resumes, and beyond.