This video discusses the critical need to understand the molecular effects of space travel on human health for future long-duration missions. It introduces SOMA (Space Omics and Medical Atlas), a newly published, publicly accessible data repository containing a vast collection of multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, etc.) from astronauts. A key feature of this dataset is the inclusion of samples from four civilian astronauts, offering insights into the physiological changes in non-career space travelers. The video highlights initial findings from this resource, including the rapid lengthening of telomeres within days of spaceflight, increased inflammatory signaling in the skin likely due to radiation, and significant, persistent alterations to the crew's microbiome, which showed a convergence among individuals and with the spacecraft's environment.
Using 'Omics Data to Keep Humans Healthy in Space
0:00 The Health Challenges of Space Travel: Space flight is known to cause various health issues in astronauts, including cardiovascular problems, reduced immune function, and anemia. However, the underlying molecular reasons for these changes are not well understood.
0:21 Introducing the SOMA Database: A new, comprehensive data repository, the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA), has been released to help researchers understand the biological impact of space. It contains a wide array of "omics" data (genomics, proteomics, etc.) from people who have been to space.
0:36 Civilian Astronaut Data: The dataset is particularly valuable because it includes data from four civilian astronauts who went to space after only six months of training, providing a baseline for how an average person’s body reacts to spaceflight.
0:51 Finding 1: Rapid Telomere Lengthening: Data from the civilian crew confirmed that telomeres (the protective caps on chromosomes) get longer during spaceflight. This effect was previously observed in astronauts but is now known to occur within just three days of entering space.
1:01 Finding 2: Skin Inflammation: Analysis of RNA profiles from skin samples showed an increase in local inflammatory signaling. This is thought to be a wound-healing type of response, possibly triggered by the high levels of radiation in space.
1:11 Finding 3: Major Microbiome Shifts: The crew experienced body-wide changes to their microbiomes, with some of these alterations persisting long after their return to Earth. Their skin microbiomes also became more similar to each other and to the microbial environment of their space capsule.
1:26 Open Access for Future Discoveries: The SOMA data portal is freely accessible online, allowing anyone to explore the data. This resource is expected to accelerate research, with companies like Ursa Bio already working to develop ways to combat the negative health effects of space travel.