Worms in space could unravel ageing process
A TINY transparent worm’s space mission could be the key to stopping age-related frailty and ill health, British scientists believe.
Tens of thousands of the 1mm c-elegans worms are to be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) in a Government-backed project to see if two drugs can prevent or slow muscle wasting brought on by microgravity.
In space, the worms have nothing to push against to maintain their muscle mass and so quickly start losing strength, duplicating the effects of ageing or conditions such as muscular dystrophy.
Researchers at Nottingham University are hoping that by either boosting the worms’ cell “batteries” – mitochondria – or improving their uptake of calcium, they can slow down the process or even prevent it entirely.
Dr Bethan Phillips, an assistant professor in clinical, metabolic and molecular physiology, said: “We know microgravity accelerates the effects of muscle disuse similar to when elderly people are bedbound or are recovering from an injury.
“The worms have similar muscle to human skeletal muscle so we can see if these pharmaceuticals have a beneficial effect, which could eventually lead to new treatments both for astronauts and the elderly.”
Not only does the study offer hope for older people on Earth, but it could be vital to the success of future colonies on the Moon or Mars. Astronauts can lose up to 40 per cent of muscle mass on a lengthy mission.
The experiment is one of several being funded by the UK Space Agency, which has provided nearly £3million in the run-up to the ISS’s 20th anniversary next week.
A team from Liverpool will also be sending tubes of human muscles grown from stem cells to the ISS to see if “heat shock” proteins can stop the decline of muscles.
In older people, muscles fail to get stronger even when they exercise, which researchers think could be because of inflammation in the body.
The “heat shock” proteins may help to dampen down the impact.
Prof Malcolm Jackson, from the University of Liverpool, said: “There is some
‘This research could eventually lead to new treatments for the elderly’
evidence that inflammation is behind the problems with ageing muscle and if we can find a way to stop that inflammatory response it could be beneficial.”
Sam Gyimah, the science minister, said: “This will help those with muscle conditions to live longer, healthier, happier lives, and is a great example of our modern industrial strategy in action – transforming life on Earth through out-of-thisworld research.”
Dr Graham Turnock, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, added: “For 20 years, the ISS has provided a unique laboratory for cutting-edge research.
“As we celebrate all that has been achieved, this new funding puts UK academics at the forefront of future pioneering scientific research, allowing us to gain knowledge that will improve life on Earth.”