In a groundbreaking initiative, WARR Space Labs, a student group from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), embarked on a remarkable mission known as the ADDONISS (Ageing and Degenerative Diseases of Neurons on the ISS) project. This project aims to conduct research on neuronal cell cultures in microgravity conditions on the International Space Station (ISS), using an SH-SY5Y cell line from AMSBIO. The experiment holds the potential to advance our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.
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The WARR Space Labs team consists of students from diverse fields of study, including biochemistry, physics, and computer science – brought together by their shared passion for space exploration. The team’s ambition led them to participate in the “Überflieger 2” competition organized by the German Space Agency and the Luxembourg Space Agency. As one of the winning teams, they earned the opportunity to send their experiment involving the SH-SY5Y/GFP stable cell line provided by AMSBIO to the international space station (ISS). AMSBIO also generously contributed €1000 to support the team’s funding. Selina Kanamüller, a student and member of WARR Space Labs at TUM, shared her account of the incredible experience she had while conducting research in NASA laboratories.
Embarking on the Journey:
On the night of March 15, the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle successfully carried the ADDONISS experiment towards the ISS. Selina Kanamüller recalls the emotional moments leading up to the launch, including the handover of the experiment to the support company Yuri and the implementation partner Space Tango. The anticipation was palpable, as any delays would have posed challenges for their cell culture experiment. Fortunately, their hard work paid off and the launch was a success.
We got to experience the excitement and nerve-racking moments before handing over our experiments first-hand and watching the rocket launch into space, knowing our cells are taking off with that rocket, was an incredible event.
The Experimental Setup:
The primary objective of the ADDONISS project is to investigate the signs of cell aging, which occur more rapidly in microgravity than on Earth as indicated by previous research conducted on the ISS. The team aims to use these unique conditions in space to explore neurodegenerative brain diseases, specifically focusing on Alzheimer’s disease. Their experiment involved six neuronal cell cultures using a GFP expressing and puromycin resistant SH-SY5Y cell line from AMSBIO. Three of the cell cultures were treated with beta-amyloid, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease (1-42), to simulate the characteristics of the disease. By culturing the cells on microelectrode arrays, the team was able to monitor the firing pattern of the neuronal cultures for irregularities typically caused by beta-amyloid. The survival and well-being of the cells was also carefully observed through GFP expression, using two mini microscopes. By comparing the results obtained from space with those from ground-based experiments, the team aims to advance our understanding of Alzheimer’s and contribute to ongoing research on Earth.
The experience of getting to conduct research in NASA laboratories has been unforgettable. Thanks to the help of AMSBIO and extensive preparations for more than a year, everything went well.
Challenges and Future Prospects:
Despite encountering technical issues and sensor difficulties, the WARR Space Labs team is currently evaluating the data gathered from the experiment. They acknowledge the lessons learned and plan to refine their system for future endeavors. Selina Kanamüller expressed that her experience working with the WARR Space Labs group has deepened her interest in biological research in space, fuelling her desire to pursue a career in biological research and space travel.
With AMSBIO’s support, these dedicated students have ventured into uncharted territory, conducting cutting-edge research on the ISS. As we await the results of the ADDONISS project, there is great anticipation for the potential contributions it may bring to Alzheimer’s research and the broader field of neurodegenerative disease research.
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