Effects of microgravity on human iPSC-derived neural organoids on the International Space Station.

Research conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) in low-Earth orbit (LEO) has shown the effects of microgravity on multiple organs. To investigate the effects of microgravity on the central nervous system, we developed a unique organoid strategy for modeling specific regions of the brain that are affected by neurodegenerative diseases. We generated 3-dimensional human neural organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from individuals affected by primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) or Parkinson's disease (PD) and non-symptomatic controls, by differentiating them toward cortical and dopaminergic fates, respectively, and combined them with isogenic microglia.

Cobalt substitution slows forsterite carbonation in low-water supercritical carbon dioxide.

Cobalt recovery from low-grade mafic and ultramafic ores could be economically viable if combined with CO storage under low-water conditions, but the impact of Co on metal silicate carbonation and the fate of Co during the carbonation reaction must be understood. In this study, infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the carbonation of Co-doped forsterite ((Mg,Co)SiO) in thin water films in humidified supercritical CO at 50 °C and 90 bar. Rates of carbonation of Co-doped forsterite to Co-rich magnesite ((Mg,Co)CO) increased with water film thickness but were at least 10 times smaller than previously measured for pure forsterite at similar conditions.

Advancing Parkinson's disease treatment: cell replacement therapy with neurons derived from pluripotent stem cells.

The motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) are caused by the progressive loss of dopamine neurons from the substantia nigra. There are currently no treatments that can slow or reverse the neurodegeneration. To restore the lost neurons, international groups have initiated clinical trials using human embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to derive dopamine neuron precursors that are used as transplants to replace the lost neurons.

Establishing Neural Organoid Cultures for Investigating the Effects of Microgravity in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).

Recent findings from studies involving astronauts and animal models indicate that microgravity increases immune cell activity and potentially alters the white and gray matter of the central nervous system (CNS). To further investigate the impact of microgravity on CNS cells, we established cultures of three-dimensional neural organoids containing isogenic microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, and sent them onboard the International Space Station. When using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from individuals affected by neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD), these cultures can provide novel insights into pathogenic pathways that may be exacerbated by microgravity.