NASA Sends Brain and Heart Tissue Models to the ISS in Latest Resupply Mission
Learn about the experiments that have been delivered to the International Space Station, including projects that may advance brain and heart health.
NASA's latest resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) sent over 6,300 pounds of cargo into space. Among the supplies, two experiments focused on studying the human brain and heart in microgravity. The AVATAR-ORg1 experiment will monitor lab-grown "miBrains" to determine if they can be grown and studied in space, potentially offering solutions for brain health risks during future missions.
The MINDS experiment will explore the link between inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases, using "organoid villages" to represent a wide range of patients. Heart health is also a priority, with the Stellar Spheroids experiment examining how microgravity affects the growth and function of 3D human heart tissue models. Additionally, the LambdaVision-1 experiment aims to test the creation of artificial retinas in space, which could restore functional sight to those suffering from retinal degenerative diseases.
Other experiments, such as ELISA MABL and GEARS, will support astronauts' health by analyzing biological samples on the ISS and studying antibiotic-resistant bacteria, respectively.
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