Chethana Janith, Jadetimes Staff
C. Janith is a Jadetimes news reporter and sub-editor covering science and geopolitics.
Skeptics often highlight one significant challenge to long-term human space exploration: radiation. Research conducted thus far has been relatively limited and consistently shows harmful effects. Prolonged exposure has been linked to increased risks of cancer, cataracts, and, in extreme cases, acute radiation poisoning, a life-threatening condition. Recognizing this issue, NASA has recently funded Dr. Robert Hinshaw, a post-doctoral researcher from MIT, through the Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. Over the next year, Dr. Hinshaw will investigate the effectiveness of an innovative mitochondria replacement therapy to mitigate both long-term and immediate risks of radiation exposure in space.
The project, called MitoMars, is based on an extraordinary yet straightforward concept. It centers on mitochondria, humorously referred to on the internet as the "powerhouse of the cell." Beyond supplying energy, mitochondria play crucial roles in cellular processes, such as calcium signaling and apoptosis - the programmed cellular death mechanism that, when disrupted, can result in cancerous cells.
Mitochondria are particularly vulnerable to radiation due to their distinct DNA, separate from the cell's nuclear DNA. Unfortunately, they lack robust repair mechanisms to counteract damage to these DNA strands, often rendering them non-functional and ultimately leading to cell death. Radiation exacerbates this vulnerability through multiple mechanisms, making mitochondria one of the most susceptible components of the human body to the harmful radiation encountered in interplanetary space or on planets lacking a magnetosphere or atmosphere.
Credit - Anton Petrov YouTube Channel
MitoMars aims to tackle these challenges. Instead of attempting in-body repairs, the strategy involves extracting a sample of the astronaut's mitochondria before exposure to a radiation environment. These mitochondria would accompany the astronaut in a specially protected vessel, ready to be used as replacements if the original ones in their body are damaged by radiation.
Think of it as akin to storing blood before a major operation. During the operation, surgeons utilize the stored blood to replace any lost during surgery, minimizing risks of rejection or complications. Similarly, the replacement mitochondria would be safeguarded in a container during space missions, shielded from the same radiation risks faced by the astronaut.
The goal of MitoMars is undeniably ambitious. However, Phase I typically involves cautious initial steps, and this project is no exception. In this phase, Dr. Hinshaw plans to intentionally damage in-vitro human cells with radiation, likely conducted at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory where he previously collected data. Once sufficient damage is inflicted, he will attempt to restore cellular function by replacing the mitochondria through replacement therapy.
Credit - Vincere Bio YouTube Channel.
Dr. Hinshaw's subsequent objective is to develop an in-flight therapeutic regimen, potentially enabling astronauts to self-administer treatment on extended missions to the Moon and Mars.
This project holds significant promise, not only for space exploration but also for immediate applications on Earth. With radiation exposure becoming more prevalent - from medical X-rays to cancer therapy - the resulting mitochondrial damage has likewise increased. If MitoMars succeeds in creating an effective mitochondrial replacement regimen for astronauts, it could also benefit individuals suffering from radiation-induced damage on Earth.
Whether this therapy will truly enhance cellular repair remains uncertain. However, for those invested in the future of human space exploration, MitoMars and similar research into space radiation offer a glimmer of hope. Initiatives like this bring us closer to overcoming one of humanity's greatest obstacles to exploring the cosmos.
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