Biomineralized tissues are widespread in animals. They are essential elements in skeletons and in statocysts. The function of both can only be understood with respect to gravitational force, which has always been present. Therefore, it is not astonishing to identify microgravity as a factor influencing biomineralization, normally resulting in the reduction of biomineralized materials. All known...

Closely associated European teams are engaged in microgravity research on aqueous and metal foams in the framework of two MAP projects from ESA. They deploy a wide range of techniques in terrestrial experiments and are experienced in the design and execution of microgravity experiments. We outline their recent achievements and present plans

Microgravity eases several constraints limiting experiments with ultracold and condensed atoms on ground. It enables extended times of flight without suspension eliminates the gravitational sag for trapped atoms. These advantages motivated numerous initiatives to adapt operate experimental setups microgravity platforms. We describe design payload, motivations choices, capabilities Bose-Einstein...

Background For tendon tissue engineering, tenocyte-seeded scaffolds are a promising approach. Under conventional 2D culture however, tenocytes show rapid senescene and phenotype loss. We hypothesized that phenotype loss could be counteracted by simulated microgravity conditions. Methods Human tenocytes were exposed to microgravity for 9 days on a Random Positioning Machine (RPM). Formation of...

61 Systemic blood distribution is an important factor involved in regulating cerebral blood 62 flow (CBF). However, the effect of an acute change in central blood volume (CBV) on 63 CBF regulation remains unclear. To address our question, we sought to examine the 64 CBF and systemic hemodynamic responses to microgravity during parabolic flight. 65 Twelve healthy subjects were seated upright and...

Microgravity Based Biomanufacturing In article 2300157, Peter H. U. Lee, Deok-Ho Kim, and co-workers discuss simulated real microgravity platforms used to improve biomanufacturing of 3D tissue constructs their use in studying pathophysiology long duration space missions. Various microphysiological systems are presented, including organoid organ-on-a-chip, which fabricated flown model specific h...

During single-breath washouts in normal gravity (1 G), the phase III slope of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is steeper than that of helium (He). Two mechanisms can account for this: 1) the higher diffusivity of He enhances its homogeneous distribution; and 2) the lower diffusivity of SF6 results in a more peripheral location of the diffusion front, where airway asymmetry is larger. These mechanisms...

To determine the extent of the role that gravity plays in dispersion and deposition during breath holds, we performed aerosol bolus inhalations of 1-microm-diameter particles followed by breath holds of various lengths on four subjects on the ground (1G) and during short periods of microgravity (microG). Boluses of approximately 70 ml were inhaled to penetration volumes (V(p)) of 150 and 500 ml...

Background: The relationship between microgravity and parathyroid hormone (PTH), a keystone of bone mineral density, remains controversial. Bone loss is prominent, ongoing issue in spaceflight, PTH has been suggested as treatment for microgravity-induced osteopenia, indicating the importance this hormone. This systematic review meta-analysis aimed to evaluate association exposure production PTH...

Microgravity adversely affects several physiological systems. As space exploration moves to extended flights, understanding which mechanisms microgravity influences may contribute to the health and safety of astronauts aboard. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) testing is used to monitor changes to cardiorespiratory function. Currently the equipment used to such testing aboard the Internation...