Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31158: Growing Cells in Space: The Breakthrough Kaskad Experiment

Imagine trying to grow human or animal cells in an environment where everything floats. The Kaskad experiment, led by Tatiana Krasheninnikova from the Institute for Applied Biochemistry and Machine Building (Biohimmash), tackled this exact challenge over several ISS expeditions.

The Aim of Kaskad

The experiment studied how different types of cells—like liver, kidney, and immune cells—behave when cultured in microgravity. This research is key to future space medicine and long-term space habitation.

Why Study Cells in Space?

In weightlessness, cells don’t settle at the bottom of a culture flask as they do on Earth. Instead, they float, mimicking a 3D growth environment. This can lead to more natural tissue development and help scientists study disease progression, tissue regeneration, and drug effects in ways not possible on Earth.

Experimental Setup

Special bioreactors onboard the ISS allowed researchers to grow multiple cell types over long durations. The system regulated temperature, nutrient flow, and oxygen levels while protecting cultures from contamination.

What Scientists Observed

Cells grown in space showed changes in shape, division rate, and gene expression. Some formed structures more similar to tissues in the human body. Researchers noted improved cell differentiation and increased sensitivity to drugs, making microgravity an ideal testbed for pharmaceutical studies.

Multiple Phases of Research

Kaskad ran over several expeditions, each refining the methodology and targeting new questions. For instance, later phases focused on cancer cells to see if microgravity influences their growth or behavior differently than normal cells.

Implications for Space and Earth

This work supports the development of space-based labs for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. On Earth, it could revolutionize cancer research and accelerate drug development by offering more accurate models.

Conclusion

The Kaskad experiment turned the ISS into a biological research powerhouse. By studying how cells grow and function in microgravity, scientists edge closer to breakthroughs in medicine both in orbit and on the ground.

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