50 million stem cells back in Uppsala after two weeks in space
“We didn't know if our cells would survive, but finally they landed in perfect condition,” states Robert Fredriksson, Professor of Pharmacology, whose 50 million stem cells recently returned to BMC after two weeks in weightlessness on international space station ISS. Now studies await with the goal to develop new tools against neurodegenerative diseases.
Thursday 18 January 2024, Marcus Wandt became Sweden's third astronaut when his space craft took off from Florida and Cape Canaveral. Travelling with him during his two weeks on the international space station ISS, was 50 million stem cells, sprung from a mouse embryo and grown especially for this purpose at Uppsala University's Biomedical Center.
“The Kennedy Space Center was really a different environment, and although the launch probably looked better on TV, it was an awesome experience. Then it all became, if possible, even more exciting as weather delayed the return home for five days and we didn't know if our cells would survive, but finally they landed in perfect condition,” states Robert Fredriksson, Professor of Pharmacology.
The stay at the ISS was not the first space adventure for Robert's stem cells. In 2023, he and Elena Kozlova, Professor of Regenerative Neurobiology, were given the opportunity to send cells with a sounding rocket that spent a total of six minutes in weightlessness above Kiruna's Esrange Space Center.
“We are just about to publish some very interesting results based on observations of cells from that trip. They divide faster, are more robust and differentiate slower. They have simply become more stem cells. Analyzing the cells that recently returned from the USA, we identify similar tendencies and now exciting research awaits.”
A prioritized goal is to determine how weightlessness affects biochemistry and protein production. If the research team also achieves success in growing nerve cells with the aid of their micro-sized space travellers, new possibilities might open to treat neurodegenerative diseases. And if only the stars are right, hope is to send up human stem cells on the next trip. The future has begun.
FACTS
- The research project was selected and funded by the Swedish National Space Agency.
- The trip was arranged by organised by Axiom Space (Ax-3) in partnership with NASA and SpaceX.
FAKTA
- Forskningsprojektet har valts ut och finansieras av Rymdstyrelsen.
- Resan arrangerades av Axiom Space genom ett samarbete med den amerikanska rymdstyrelsen NASA och företaget SpaceX.
LEARN MORE
CONTACT
Robert Fredriksson, Professor
Dep. of Pharmaceutical Biosciences
Robert.Fredriksson@uu.se
text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Mikael Wallerstedt