Amorphical ISS research results in new publication

The publication of their findings on “Amorphous Calcium Carbonate enhances osteogenic differentiation and myotube formation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and primary skeletal muscle cells under microgravity conditions” can be accessed here.

Astronauts face significant physiological challenges in space, including microgravity and increased radiation exposure, leading to muscle atrophy and skeletal deterioration. Amorphous Calcium Carbonate (ACC) shows promise in mitigating these effects by addressing bone-muscle crosstalk. Two studies conducted aboard the International Space Station investigated ACC’s effects on cell differentiation. The results demonstrate that ACC enhances differentiation of skeletal muscle cells into myotubes and bone marrow-derived stem cells into osteocytes, highlighting its potential for preventing muscle and bone deterioration in space conditions.

This research holds paramount significance, not only for advancing space exploration endeavors and facilitating future colonization plans but also for improving and prolonging human life on Earth.

The space experiment of Amorphical utilized SpacePharma‘s SPIC minilab, an automated device for cell culture. In short, cells are cultured in a microfluidic chip, in which the medium is periodically and automatically refreshed, and the temperature is controlled and maintained. Additionally, the system is equipped with microscopic imaging capability in real time. The SPIC minilab was accommodated in the ICE Cubes Facility of ESA’s Columbus module, receiving power and real-time data transfer to ground, during the Ax-1 mission, the first private mission to the ISS (launched April 8, 2022, and returned to Earth April 25, 2022).

For more information, explore the references below.