In the journey of human exploration of the universe, the impact of the space environment on human health has always been an important research topic. Recently, the project "Research on the Change Mechanism and Protection of Weightlessness Cardiovascular Function Based on Organ-on-a-chip" jointly developed by Southeast University and Astronaut Research and Training Center in China was released. This is the world's first major scientific research project to apply organ-on-chip technology to study the cardiovascular function of the human body in space, which is not only listed as one of the "Seven Major Advances in Human Research in Space", but also marks a breakthrough in the field of space biomedicine.
Technological innovation: Build a high-fidelity artificial vascular chip
At the heart of the project is the development of a high-fidelity artificial vascular chip that simulates the weightlessness environment of space. Through this platform, the research team was able to study the effects of microgravity on the cardiovascular system at the cellular and molecular levels, including complex mechanisms such as tissue remodeling, changes in cellular function, oxidative stress, and mechanical signaling.
The researchers not only simulated the real space environment, but also successfully screened for a class of small molecule compounds with protective potential - flavonols. These compounds can effectively alleviate the harmful effects of microgravity on arterial blood vessels, and provide a new solution for protecting the cardiovascular health of astronauts.
Pictured: China's "Space Organ-on-a-Chip" project is listed as one of the "Seven Advances in Human Research in Space"
Scientific research results: filling the international gap
This research has made a leap from two-dimensional cell experiments to three-dimensional tissue and organ experiments, filled the gap in international space medicine research, and achieved remarkable results at the academic and technical levels. Up to now, the project has published 6 SCI papers with high impact factor and obtained 5 technical patents. These achievements fully demonstrate the technical strength of the Chinese research team and provide valuable scientific basis for subsequent research work.
In addition, the project has promoted the deepening of international cooperation, opened up a new situation for the research of space medicine, and significantly enhanced China's academic influence in this field.
Far-reaching impact: astronaut health and long-term space missions
In long-term space missions, the impact of microgravity on the astronaut's cardiovascular system may lead to hemodynamic disorders, arteriosclerosis and other problems. Through the organ-on-a-chip technology developed in this project, the research team is able to monitor the health status of astronauts more accurately and develop targeted protective measures.
The results of the project provide theoretical and technical support for future space medicine experiments, especially in the cardiovascular protection of astronauts during long-term flight. For example, this technology will play a crucial role in long-term missions such as manned missions to Mars and the construction of lunar bases.
Contribution of the Organ-on-a-Chip Database (OCDB).
At the same time as the project research, the Southeast University team also built the first Organ on a Chip Database (OCDB) in China. The database integrates multi-domain and multi-source data resources, including literature, patents, and experimental raw data, providing researchers with powerful search and analysis tools.
The establishment of OCDB has greatly promoted the international development of organ-on-a-chip technology and provided a collaborative platform for academia and industry. At the same time, the database promotes multidisciplinary research and has a profound impact on the fields of drug development, disease modeling, and bioengineering.
International significance: Leading biomedical research in space
The release of China's "space organ-on-a-chip" project is not only an important milestone in the field of aerospace medicine in China, but also a new starting point for global aerospace biology research. It provides innovative solutions to medical problems in long-term space missions, and significantly enhances China's voice in the field of global space medicine.
In the future, with the continuous optimization and expansion of organ-on-a-chip technology, its application will go beyond the aerospace field and be widely used in ground medical research, drug screening and personalized medicine. This breakthrough by the Chinese scientific research team will undoubtedly provide a more solid scientific guarantee for the long-term survival and health of human beings in space.
Conclusion
The success of the "Space Organ-on-a-Chip" project marks a milestone step in the field of aerospace medicine for China. From technology development to scientific application, from data resources to international cooperation, China's aerospace medicine research is moving to the forefront of the world.
This research not only demonstrates the strong strength of China's scientific and technological innovation, but also injects Chinese wisdom and strength into the development of the global aerospace industry. We have reason to expect that in the near future, organ-on-a-chip technology will achieve subversive breakthroughs in more fields and provide greater possibilities for human exploration of the unknown world.
