Relevance to ESA Space Exploration Program

This platform is relevant to the following SciSpacE roadmaps :

“UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF GRAVITY ON BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES, CELLS AND ORGANISMS”, because it could help addressing the following questions:

- How are Cell Structure and Function Influenced by the gravity perception mechanisms?

• Objective A.1: Identifying changes in the mechanical properties of single cells, tissue models and organisms in response to gravity alterations.
• Objective A.3: Evaluating the effects of altered gravity on epigenetics, genetic protection and repair mechanisms.
• Objective A.4: Investigating stress response induced by altered gravity conditions and possible countermeasures.

- How Do Gravity Alterations Affect Animal and Human Systems at a Cellular/Tissue Level?

• Objective B.1: Studying the effects of microgravity on the immune system in human and animal models.
• Objective B.2: Studying the effects of microgravity on the skeletal system in human and animal models
• Objective B.3: Studying the effects of microgravity on other key biological systems in human and animal models.

- How to Obtain an Integrated Picture of the Molecular Networks Involved in Adaptation to Microgravity in Different Biological Systems?

• Objective E.1: Comparing different types of cell in the same organism and/or a single cell types in different organisms through the application of -omics approaches.

“UNDERSTANDING AND PREVENTING PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS TO REDUCED GRAVITY”, because it could contribute addressing several fundamental questions indicated in that roadmap such as:

• Immune system development, response and regulation in space.
• Identification and quantification of stress factors and their impact on immunity and its interactions with other organ systems.
• Molecular and cellular basis for changes in the musculoskeletal system.
• µg-induced alterations in cardiac and vessel structure and function.
• Molecular and cellular basis for changes in the cardiovascular system.

“PSYCHOLOGICAL AND NEUROSENSORY ADAPTATIONS TO REDUCED GRAVITY, ISOLATION AND CONFINEMENT”, because it could help addressing the following fundamental question:

• Understanding the role of gravity in the development of the nervous system.

ESA roadmaps can be accessed at:
http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/HRE/SciSpacE_Roadmaps.pdf