Astronauts aboard the International Space Station are continuing research efforts to manufacture large quantities of stem cells for therapies on Earth through the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Expansion in Space (InSPA-StemCellEX-H2) investigation.
- InSPA-StemCellEX-H2 Investigation aims to demonstrate large-scale production of blood stem cells for pharmaceutical and clinical use.
- Microgravity helps maintain stem cell quality during expansion, potentially increasing production efficiency and reducing the risk of rejection in patients.
What are Stem Cells?
- Stem cells are foundational cells from which all other specialized cells—such as blood cells, brain cells, and heart muscle cells—are generated.
- Capacity for self-renewal: They possess the unique ability to divide and create identical copies of themselves.
- Capacity for differentiation: They have the natural ability to transform into a variety of specialized cell types that perform different functions throughout the body.
- Types:
- On the basis of Source: Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs), Adult/Somatic Stem Cells, Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), etc.
- On the basis of Differentiation Potential: E.g., Totipotent cells (Able to differentiate into all possible cell types), Pluripotent cells (Differentiated into most tissues of body but are unable to produce all tissue), etc.
