After mice, worms are now being sent to space

After already sending out mice in space, astronauts are now sending numerous worms in space for an experiment.

Hundreds of ‘Caenorhabditis elegans’ worms will be heading to the International Space Station as a part of UK Space Agency’s ‘Molecular Muscle Experiment’. This experiment, the first ever UK-led to take place on the ISS, is aimed to provide better understanding of how spaceflight contributes to muscle loss.

Sam Gyimah, Science Minister said: “It’s not every day that you hear of the potential health benefits of sending worms into space, but this crucial project which is also the first of its kind, could lead to better treatment for muscular conditions for people on Earth as well as improving the wellbeing of our astronauts.”

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The scientists believe that this project will provide more knowledge about muscle loss in space, leading to developing effective therapies and innovative treatments for muscular dystrophies. The research will also enhance knowledge regarding ageing muscle loss and enhance diabetes’ treatment, wrote Phys.org.

The specie of worms was chosen since they share essential biological traits as humans and are affected by biological changes in space too. These were first multicellular organisms to have its entire genome mapped and has been used for decades as a model organism due to its cheap prices, easy experimentation, and short gestation period. C elegans also helps as people can see almost every cell under its transparent body under a microscope, wrote CNET.

Currently, the worms have been placed in liquid bacterial feed and are sealed in a special gas permeable plastic bag. The bags are then placed in a special incubator. The worms reproduce in space and after around 6.5 days when they grow into adults, they will be frozen until they return to Earth.

Spaceflight is an extreme environment that can cause several negative health changes to body including astronauts losing up to 40% of their muscle after spending six months in space. Researcher Nate Szewczyk said, “The Molecular Muscle Experiment aims to understand the causes of neuromuscular decline in space.

“This research will help us establish the precise molecules that cause muscle problems during spaceflight and enable us to test the effectiveness of novel therapies for preventing muscle decline associated with spaceflight.”