Beijing, 7 Jul (ZXS) -- The reporter learned from the Chinese Academy of Sciences on 21 July that the scientific research team used the Chinese space station to carry out a number of life and material research, and at the same time achieved phased scientific research progress through the analysis of space science experiment samples returned to the ground.
Ying Hao, a researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, who presided over the project "Biological Basic Research on the Influence of Space Microgravity Environment on Skeletal Muscle", told the media that the human body has more than 600 skeletal muscles, accounting for about 40% of body weight, which is essential for maintaining the normal physiological functions of the human body and the homeostasis of metabolism. Metabolic diseases (such as obesity, diabetes) and sarcopenia (muscle atrophy associated with aging) involve abnormalities in skeletal muscle function and homeostasis. Astronauts perform missions with various physiological adaptations, including muscle atrophy. These physiological adaptations caused by the microgravity environment have many similarities with the physiological and pathological changes caused by aging and long-term bed rest in the ground population.
Discovering the perception and response law of skeletal muscle cells to the microgravity environment, revealing the mechanism of space muscle atrophy, and finding corresponding countermeasures will provide experimental evidence, theoretical basis and new ideas for the prevention and treatment of long-term astronauts in orbit and the health level of astronauts, improve the work efficiency of on-orbit personnel, and provide experimental evidence, theoretical basis and new ideas for the prevention and treatment of related metabolic diseases for the prevention and treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy in the ground population, such as sarcopenia in the elderly population and muscle atrophy caused by long-term bed rest.
The project "Basic Research on the Biological Influence of Space Microgravity Environment on Skeletal Muscle" uses the long-term microgravity conditions provided by the Chinese Space Station to study the effects of space microgravity on skeletal muscle cells, focusing on cell growth, differentiation, autophagy and secretion.
Ying Hao said that at present, the progress and preliminary results of the project include: the use of China's self-developed biotechnology experiment cabinet and cell tissue culture module to successfully realize the in-orbit culture and differentiation of skeletal muscle cells, and observe cell fusion and myotube formation; Using China's self-developed fluorescence imaging system and reporter gene system, a visual analysis method for autophagy in orbital living cells was established; Using in-orbit fluorescence imaging, the induction formation process of autophagies in skeletal muscle cells in space microgravity environment was detected for the first time in the world. Skeletal muscle cell samples and cell culture medium samples were successfully recovered in real space microgravity for subsequent research and analysis.
Ying Hao said that follow-up research will focus on exploring the mechanism of muscle atrophy and metabolic disorders caused by microgravity, so as to find corresponding countermeasures, accumulate experimental data, and lay a theoretical foundation.
Luo Xinghong, a researcher at the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, pointed out that single crystal superalloys are the key materials for the preparation of aero engines and hot gas wheel blades, and they are prepared by directional solidification. In order to improve the performance of single crystal alloys, it is best to first understand how gravity plays a specific role in the solidification process. What is the mechanism? The ubiquitous influence of gravity in the terrestrial research environment makes it difficult to accurately answer these questions, while in the space environment, the influence of gravity is almost non-existent, "which provides us with an ideal place to lift the veil of gravity and see the essence of solidification."
He said that the research project of the Chinese space station is based on this, and it is expected that through joint research in space and ground, the specific role of gravity in the solidification process of single-crystal alloy and related mechanisms will be revealed, and new ways to solve the problem of alloy solidification defects and improve the comprehensive performance of alloys will be explored.
The study was conducted in two phases. In the first stage, the I-type furnace with low temperature cabinet temperature of the space station was used to carry out directional solidification research with aluminum alloy with low melting point and simple composition, focusing on the influence of gravity on dendrite morphology and component distribution. In the second stage, a type II furnace with a high temperature cabinet temperature was used to study the solidification of complex alloy systems close to the real nickel-based single crystal superalloy, so as to further deepen the understanding of the influence of gravity on the solidification structure and composition distribution of complex alloy systems.
Luo Xinghong said that at present, the first stage has completed the space experiment and recovery of a sample, and the anatomical analysis of the sample is being carried out, and good results are expected.
It is understood that more than a month ago, with the successful landing of the Shenzhou 15 return module, the fourth batch of space science experiment samples of the Chinese space station that descended with the module successfully arrived in Beijing and delivered to the Space Application Engineering and Technology Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the center and relevant experimenters checked and confirmed the basic status of the returned experimental samples, and handed over relevant experimental scientists to carry out follow-up research. (End)