Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32357: Space Biology and Biopharma: Studying Protein Aggregation on the ISS

Proteins are essential building blocks of life—but when they misfold or clump together, they can lead to serious diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. That’s why understanding how and why protein aggregation happens is a top priority in biomedical research. The International Space Station (ISS) offers a unique vantage point to investigate this.

In a series of studies during Expeditions 63, 64, and 65, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) conducted experiments under the leadership of Principal Investigator Dr. Matthew Henry. Their goal was to use the microgravity conditions of the ISS to observe how proteins behave differently than they do on Earth.

Microgravity slows sedimentation and convection, allowing researchers to observe protein interactions and degradation in a cleaner, more isolated environment. This helps uncover detailed mechanisms of protein behavior, which can inform the design of more effective drugs.

One of the key insights from these studies was the role of molecular crowding and movement in influencing protein aggregation. By examining this in space, researchers could isolate variables that are hard to control in Earth-based labs. These findings are incredibly valuable for the biopharmaceutical industry, as they could lead to better treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and more stable drug formulations.

The ISS acts as a biological observatory, and this experiment reinforces its value in pharmaceutical research. For students and young scientists, it’s a fascinating example of how space can be a platform for improving human health.

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