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Time of India
30-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Shux, crew, study microalgae, cancer, cognition & more
The view was still extraordinary, but the work, even more so for the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew. With Earth turning silently below them, the crew, including India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Shux) spent their third day aboard the International Space Station (ISS) studying cancer, cognition, microalgae, the building blocks of long-term spaceflight, and more. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The experiments being carried out by Shux and other crew members are part of the more than 60 scientific investigations from 31 countries, including India, the US, Poland, Hungary, Brazil, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia. After all, Ax-4 is the most research-intensive private mission to the ISS to date. Shux, who had kicked off his research activity with a muscle loss study the previous day, was hard at work on a project that's microscopic in size but potentially massive in impact. He deployed sample bags and imaging tools for a space microalgae experiment, studying how these tiny organisms fare in orbit. Rich in nutrients and capable of recycling carbon dioxide, microalgae could become a key part of long-duration space missions — a source of food, oxygen and life support rolled into one. He was also part of, along with other AX-4 crew, the 'Neuro Motion VR' study, which uses virtual reality headsets and brain-monitoring technology (fNIRS) to observe how astronauts' cognitive and motor functions respond to spaceflight. 'Alongside that, they collected data for 'Telemetric Health AI', a project that merges biometric tracking with AI analytics to better understand how spaceflight affects the cardiovascular and balance systems. These studies aren't just academic. They're building the foundations for safe, extended human missions into deep space,' Axiom Space said. Commander Peggy Whitson, a seasoned astronaut on her fourth spaceflight, devoted much of the day to the Cancer in LEO (low-Earth orbit) investigation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Working with the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, she captured imaging samples of cancer cells exposed to microgravity. The stress of space may change the way these cells behave, potentially offering clues to tackling aggressive, metastatic cancers back on Earth. Her camera didn't stop there. Whitson also photographed student-designed science experiments and artwork for the Saudi Space Agency's Microgravity Challenge — a competition that drew over 80,000 entries from young innovators across the Arab world. With submissions ranging from sustainable farming ideas to space-inspired art, it's an example of how missions like Ax-4 can inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and dreamers. Mission specialist Suave (Slawosz Uznanski) focused his attention on the microfluidic design experiment to observe how fluids behave in low gravity. The end goal? Developing microfluidic devices that test drug stability and quality — a vital step toward bringing autonomous health care to future space travellers. And yet, research isn't the only focus. The crew also reached out to Earth. Tibor Kapu shared a live conversation with Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, while Whitson and Suave spoke with Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr Lucie Low about protecting astronauts from space radiation — a challenge no future mission can ignore.
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
ISS team with Shubhanshu Shukla, studies cancer cells in microgravity: ‘Could lead to better treatment on Earth'
The Axiom-4 mission crew, including Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has begun active research aboard the International Space Station (ISS) following their successful arrival. Their initial focus includes 'microgravity acclimation' as they engage in a series of experiments aimed at advancing medicine, agriculture, and space science. India's Shubhanshu Shukla with three other astronauts and International Space Station (ISS) crew after the Axiom-4 mission's Space-X Dragon spacecraft docked to the ISS, as part of the mission.(@SpaceX) Among the key investigations is the 'Cancer in LEO-3' study, led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson. This research explores how cancer cells behave in microgravity, with a specific focus on tumour organoids and a new model of triple-negative breast cancer. Scientists are analysing how these cells respond to drug treatments in space, with the objective of confirming previous findings and paving the way for innovative cancer therapies — both for patients on Earth and astronauts on extended space missions. The four astronauts launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 25 and arrived at the ISS on June 26. Research on cancer could lead to better treatment on Earth In collaboration with Axiom Space, the Cancer in LEO project from the Sanford Stem Cell Institute will examine tumour organoids in microgravity, aiming to detect early indicators of cancer to improve prediction and prevention. The study is part of the expanded ISSCOR initiative, a joint effort by the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, JM Foundation, and Axiom Space, which leverages microgravity research to better understand stem cells, cancer progression, and aging—with the goal of enhancing disease prediction and developing new treatments for patients on Earth. Also Read | American woman applauds India's space programme after Shubhanshu Shukla enters ISS: 'Top space power' The Cancer in LEO-3 investigation builds upon data gathered during earlier Axiom missions focused on how cancer develops in space. This latest study will not only validate past findings on tumor organoids but also assess how a new triple-negative breast cancer model reacts to drug treatments in low Earth orbit (LEO). The research holds significant value for space exploration, as it evaluates the effects of microgravity and space radiation on cancer cell development compared to their behaviour on Earth. Insights from this work could lead to more effective cancer therapies by identifying how metastatic cancer cells respond differently in space, potentially unlocking new therapeutic targets. Also Read | Shubhanshu Shukla scripts history, becomes first Indian to enter ISS; will spend 14 days researching microgravity What role are Shubhanshu Shukla and others playing? Shubhanshu Shukla worked inside the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) to support the Myogenesis experiment, which investigates the biological processes behind skeletal muscle loss in space – a major concern for long-term spaceflight. By identifying the pathways responsible for muscle degradation, the research aims to develop targeted therapies that could benefit both astronauts and patients on Earth with muscle-wasting conditions. Shukla also participated in an outreach event, speaking directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a conversation that underscored growing global cooperation in space exploration and inspired audiences back home. Tibor Kapu deployed the Rad Nano Dosimeter, a compact device used to track radiation exposure aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Understanding space radiation's impact on the human body is vital for planning future missions to destinations like the Moon and Mars. The data gathered may also enhance Earth-based radiation safety tools in fields such as healthcare and environmental monitoring. Tibor also began setup for the Vitapric experiment, which studies how plant growth enhancers affect the development of microgreens in microgravity. The goal is to increase the nutritional content—such as vitamins, proteins, and minerals—of crops grown in space, contributing to sustainable food solutions for long-duration missions. In parallel, the Ax-4 crew launched the Cerebral Hemodynamics study, completing its initial session after installing necessary software. Using ultrasound technology, the study examines how microgravity affects blood flow in the brain. Insights from this research may help improve cardiovascular health in space and inform treatments for stroke and hypertension on Earth. Meanwhile, Peggy Whitson and Sławosz 'Suave' Uznański-Wiśniewski are preparing to join Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low in a dedicated session on space radiation. The discussion will focus on the radiation experiments underway during Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) and how these findings could improve astronaut safety on future deep space journeys.
India Today
13-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Axiom-4 astronauts to study cancer tumour growth in space
India could be part of a major experiment being launched to the International Space Station to study early warning signs of cancer and develop advanced therapeutics for patients on experiment will be launched aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of the Axiom-4 mission on May 29, piloted by India's Group Captain Shubhanshu study has been developed in collaboration with the Sanford Stem Cell Institute at UC San Diego and the JM MICROGRAVITY: A UNIQUE LABORATORYThe microgravity environment of space offers a unique setting to study cancer cell missions have shown that cancer stem cells can regenerate more easily and become more resistant to standard therapies in low-Earth tumour organoids have been observed to triple in size within just 10 days in space, providing a compressed timeline to study cancer progression and potential interventions. The Ax-4 mission will feature four astronauts from four countries. (Photo: Axiom Space) TARGETING TRIPLE-NEGATIVE BREAST CANCERBuilding on earlier findings, the Cancer in LEO-3 investigation will focus on triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form with limited treatment plan to test the efficacy of two ADAR1 inhibitors: fedratinib, an anti-cancer medication used to treat myeloproliferative diseases including myelofibrosis, and rebecsinib, an experimental anticancer medication derived by modification of the natural product Pladienolide study aims to determine if these drugs can reverse malignant regeneration and prevent cancer progression in microgravity ASTRONAUTS STEM CELL HEALTHIn addition to studying cancer cells, the project includes a longitudinal study monitoring astronauts' blood stem cells before, during, and after research aims to understand how microgravity affects stem cell aging and immune function, potentially leading to insights into immune dysfunction-related diseases and cancer FOR EARTH-BASED TREATMENTSThe insights gained from these space-based experiments could revolutionise cancer treatment on understanding how cancer cells behave in microgravity, scientists hope to develop predictive models for cancer and immune dysfunction-related diseases, leading to the development of new drugs to prevent or treat these conditions.
