NASA has selected 10 investigations to be part of their study of identical twin astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly, which will be the first-ever twin study in space.
It's been more than a few decades since NASA launched its Human Health and Safety program. This program helps the U.S space agency research the effects of spaceflight on the human body. NASA recently announced the launch of another study under this program, which will be the first-ever twin study in space. On March 7, 2014, the agency announced the selection of 10 investigations to be part of the study. These 10 investigations will reportedly provide NASA with broader insight into the subtle effects and changes that may occur in spaceflight as compared to Earth-based environments.
"We realized this is a unique opportunity to perform a class of novel studies because we had one twin flying aboard the International Space Station and one twin on the ground," said Craig Kundrot, Ph.D. and deputy chief scientist of NASA's Human Research Program in a NASA press release. "We can study two individuals who have the same genetics, but are in different environments for one year."
The 10 selections were made from a pool of 40 proposals. The main aim of this study is to help the agency gain access to unique information into human physiology at a fundamental level. Researchers have always said that even the tiniest component of the human body can divulge volumes of information about an individual's composition and his reaction to stressors like those associated with spaceflight.
One of the twins - Scott will spend a year in Space while Mark will remain on Earth. During this one year, researchers will be able to study the subtle changes that may or may not occur in the bodies of both these brothers. Researchers hope that this investigation can help shed more light between the nature vs. nurture aspect of the effects of spaceflight on the human body.
The human physiology, behavioral health, microbiology/microbiome, and molecular or-omics studies are four areas the study will focus on.
"These studies will look at the way genes in the cells are turned on and off as a result of spaceflight; and how stressors like radiation, confinement and microgravity prompt changes in the proteins and metabolites gathered in biological samples like blood, saliva, urine and stool," NASA officials revealed in the statement.
The space agency also clarified that the study conducted on the Kelly brothers is not expected to provide definitive data about the effects of spaceflight on individuals. However, it will serve as a demonstration project for future research initiatives.
"This is a unique opportunity for the agency," said Kundrot. "The investigations are a pathfinder for the agency with regard to the study of astronaut physiology. This pilot project will, for the first time in space, integrate physiology with 21st century -omics techniques currently performed at leading medical schools and hospitals."
