Authors: Davide Marotta, Laraib Ijaz, Lilianne Barbar, Madhura Nijsure, Jason Stein, Nicolette Pirjanian, Ilya Kruglikov, Twyman Clements, Jana Stoudemire, Paula Grisanti, Scott A Noggle, Jeanne F Loring, and Valentina Fossati
Stem Cells Translational Medicine, 23 October 2024
Scientists use neural organoids on Axion BioSystems’ Maestro MEA system to help scientists explore the effects of microgravity on the brain.
The effects of microgravity on the central nervous system are not well understood. In this study, researchers sent neural organoids to the International Space Station (ISS) in low-Earth orbit (LEO) to study the effects of microgravity on the brain. The organoids, generated from iPSCs derived from people with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, were cultured for a month using a novel sealed cryovial system on the ISS and then compared to parallel cultures that remained on Earth. To characterize the organoids that remained on Earth and validate that the sealed cryovial culture method is viable for organoids sent to the ISS, the team used Axion BioSystems’ noninvasive Maestro multielectrode array (MEA) system. Compared to control organoids, organoids cultured in LEO exhibited higher expression of maturation-associated genes. Although this field of research is in its early stages, the authors hope to use the information to better understand neurological diseases and conclude that their goal “is to make use of the opportunity to study neural cells in LEO to better understand and treat neurodegenerative disease on Earth, and to help ameliorate potentially adverse neurological effects of space travel.
