Category Archives: Biology

Biology

Crew Continues Biology Research, Station Upkeep on Friday – NASA Blogs

An aurora dances in the horizon of Earths atmosphere as city lights shine through clouds cast over Mongolia while the International Space Station orbited 263 miles above.

The Expedition 70 crew is back to work following yesterdays off-duty day to observe the Thanksgiving holiday. After enjoying holiday treats like chocolate, duck, quail, seafood, pumpkin spice cappuccino and more, the seven International Space Station residents focused on space biology research and station upkeep on Friday.

In the morning, Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA serviced components on the BioFabrication Facility (BFF), a 3D printer used to print organ-like tissues in microgravity. She then moved on to other space biology tasks, deploying the work volume in the Life Sciences Glovebox to culture cells for the Bacterial Adhesion and Corrosion investigation, a study that examines bacterial genes in microgravity and whether they can corrode various surfaces in the orbiting laboratory. Studies of the sort help researchers better understand the effectiveness of disinfection in extreme environments.

Commander Andreas Mogensen of ESA (European Space Agency) took over Moghbelis work on BFF, continuing to service components throughout the afternoon. Ahead of this task, he captured images of cells for the Cerebral Aging investigation, which may provide insights to scientists on Earth on accelerated aging symptoms.

Cargo transfers continued throughout Friday as Flight Engineer Loral OHara of NASA spent the morning unstowing items from the Dragon spacecraft that arrived to the station last week. In the afternoon, she completed some orbital plumbing, testing the tank capacity of the Brine Processor.

Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) was also tasked with orbital plumbing in the morning, setting up the drain in the wastewater processing system. Throughout the rest of the day, he continued with station upkeep, cleaning and inspecting hatches.

The Roscosmos trio living and working in microgravityFlight Engineers Nikolai Chub, Oleg Kononenko, and Konstantin Borisov spent Friday prepping the Progress 84 spacecraft ahead of its undocking from the Poisk module at 2:55 a.m. EST Wednesday, Nov. 29. Kononenko also powered up a 3D printer to demonstrate printing tools and parts in space.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Crew Continues Biology Research, Station Upkeep on Friday - NASA Blogs

Biology

The Future of Biology: Decoding Cell and Tissue Mechanics in 3D With Active Matter Theory – SciTechDaily

By Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) November 24, 2023

Scientists have developed an innovative algorithm to solve equations of active matter theory, providing insights into how biological materials like cells and tissues attain their shape. This algorithm, part of a decade-long research effort, is implemented in an open-source supercomputer code, making it widely accessible. It marks a significant advance in understanding the behavior of living materials and could lead to the development of artificial biological machines.

Open-source supercomputer algorithm predicts patterning and dynamics of living materials and enables studying their behavior in space and time.

Biological materials are made of individual components, including tiny motors that convert fuel into motion. This creates patterns of movement, and the material shapes itself with coherent flows by constant consumption of energy. Such continuously driven materials are called active matter. The mechanics of cells and tissues can be described by active matter theory, a scientific framework to understand shape, flows, and form of living materials. The active matter theory consists of many challenging mathematical equations.

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) in Dresden, the Center for Systems Biology Dresden (CSBD), and the TU Dresden have now developed an algorithm, implemented in an open-source supercomputer code, that can for the first time solve the equations of active matter theory in realistic scenarios. These solutions bring us a big step closer to solving the century-old riddle of how cells and tissues attain their shape and to designing artificial biological machines.

3D simulation of active matter in a geometry resembling a dividing cell. Credit: Singh et al. Physics of Fluids (2023) / MPI-CBG

Biological processes and behaviors are often very complex. Physical theories provide a precise and quantitative framework for understanding them. The active matter theory offers a framework to understand and describe the behavior of active matter materials composed of individual components capable of converting a chemical fuel (food) into mechanical forces. Several scientists from Dresden were key in developing this theory, among others Frank Jlicher, director at the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, and Stephan Grill, director at the MPI-CBG.

With these principles of physics, the dynamics of active living matter can be described and predicted by mathematical equations. However, these equations are extremely complex and hard to solve. Therefore, scientists require the power of supercomputers to comprehend and analyze living materials. There are different ways to predict the behavior of active matter, with some focusing on the tiny individual particles, others studying active matter at the molecular level, and yet others studying active fluids on a large scale. These studies help scientists see how active matter behaves at different scales in space and over time.

Scientists from the research group of Ivo Sbalzarini, TU Dresden Professor at the Center for Systems Biology Dresden (CSBD), research group leader at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), and Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science at TU Dresden, have now developed a computer algorithm to solve the equations of active matter. Their work was published in the journal Physics of Fluids and was featured on the cover. They present an algorithm that can solve the complex equations of active matter in three dimensions and in complex-shaped spaces

Our approach can handle different shapes in three dimensions over time, says one of the first authors of the study, Abhinav Singh, a studied mathematician. He continues, Even when the data points are not regularly distributed, our algorithm employs a novel numerical approach that works seamlessly for complex biologically realistic scenarios to accurately solve the theorys equations. Using our approach, we can finally understand the long-term behavior of active materials in both moving and non-moving scenarios for predicting their dynamics. Further, the theory and simulations could be used to program biological materials or create engines at the nano-scale to extract useful work.

The other first author, Philipp Suhrcke, a graduate of TU Dresdens Computational Modeling and Simulation M.Sc. program, adds, thanks to our work, scientists can now, for example, predict the shape of a tissue or when a biological material is going to become unstable or dysregulated, with far-reaching implications in understanding the mechanisms of growth and disease.

The scientists implemented their software using the open-source library OpenFPM, meaning that it is freely available for others to use. OpenFPM is developed by the Sbalzarini group for democratizing large-scale scientific computing. The authors first developed a custom computer language that allows computational scientists to write supercomputer codes by specifying the equations in mathematical notation and letting the computer do the work to create a correct program code. As a result, they do not have to start from scratch every time they write a code, effectively reducing code development times in scientific research from months or years to days or weeks, providing enormous productivity gains.

Due to the tremendous computational demands of studying three-dimensional active materials, the new code is scalable on shared and distributed-memory multi-processor parallel supercomputers, thanks to the use of OpenFPM. Although the application is designed to run on powerful supercomputers, it can also run on regular office computers for studying two-dimensional materials.

The Principal Investigator of the study, Ivo Sbalzarini, summarizes: Ten years of our research went into creating this simulation framework and enhancing the productivity of computational science. This now all comes together in a tool for understanding the three-dimensional behavior of living materials. Open-source, scalable, and capable of handling complex scenarios, our code opens new avenues for modeling active materials. This may finally lead us to understand how cells and tissues attain their shape, addressing the fundamental question of morphogenesis that has puzzled scientist for centuries. But it may also help us design artificial biological machines with minimal numbers of components.

Reference: A numerical solver for active hydrodynamics in three dimensions and its application to active turbulence by Abhinav Singh, Philipp H. Suhrcke, Pietro Incardona and Ivo F. Sbalzarini, 30 October 2023, Physics of Fluids. DOI: 10.1063/5.0169546

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The Future of Biology: Decoding Cell and Tissue Mechanics in 3D With Active Matter Theory - SciTechDaily

Biology

NASA Selects 11 Space Biology Research Projects to Inform … – Astrobiology News

Thrive In DEep Space (TIDES) NASA

NASA announces the award of eleven grants or cooperative agreements for exciting new Space Biology research that will advance NASAs understanding of how exposure to lunar dust/regolith impact both plant and animal systems. As human exploration prepares to go beyond Earth Orbit, Space Biology is advancing its research priorities towards work that will enable organisms to Thrive In DEep Space (TIDES).

The ultimate goal of the TIDES initiative is to enable long-duration space missions and improve life on Earth through innovative research. Space Biology supported research will enable the study of the effects of environmental stressors in spaceflight on model organisms, that will both inform future fundamental research, as well as provide valuable information that will better enable human exploration of deep space.

Proposals for these eleven projects were submitted in response to ROSES-2022 Program Element E.9 Space Biology Research Studies (NNH22ZDA001N-SBR).

This funding opportunity solicited ground studies using plant or animal models (or their associated microbes) to characterize the responses of these organisms to lunar regolith simulant similar to that found at NASA candidate landing sites for future lunar exploration missions.

This funding opportunity represents a collaboration between the Space Biology Program and NASAs Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Division within the Exploration Architecture, Integration, and Science (EAIS) Directorate at the NASA Johnson Space Center, who will be supplying the lunar regolith simulant required for these studies.

Selected studies include (but are not limited to) efforts to 1) test the ability of lunar regolith to act as a growth substrate for crop-producing plants including grains, tomatoes and potatoes, 2) understand how growth in lunar regolith influences plant and microbial interactions, and how in turn, these interactions affect plant development and health, 3) identify and test bioremediation methods/techniques to enhance the ability of regolith to act as a growth substrate, and 4) understand how lunar dust exposure impacts host/microbial interactions in human-analogous model systems under simulated microgravity conditions.

Eleven investigators will conduct these Space Biology investigations from ten institutions in nine states. Eight of these awards are to investigators new to the Space Biology Program. When fully implemented, approximately $2.3 million will be awarded in fiscal years 2024-2027.

This is the first selection announcement made by the NASA Space Biology Program after the release of the new Decadal Survey: Thriving in Space: Ensuring the Future of Biological and Physical Sciences Research: A Decadal Survey for 2023-2032 which will help inform Space Biology goals and priorities over the next ten years.

Additional details, including the awardees and organizations, can be found on the NSPIRES website linked above and at the link below:

https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/biological-physical-sciences/nasa-selects-11-space-biology-research-projects/

Astrobiology

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NASA Selects 11 Space Biology Research Projects to Inform ... - Astrobiology News

Biology

NASA Selects 11 Space Biology Research Projects to Inform Biological Research During Future Lunar Exploration … – Science@NASA

Selected studies include (but are not limited to) efforts to 1) test the ability of lunar regolith to act as a growth substrate for crop-producing plants including grains, tomatoes and potatoes, 2) understand how growth in lunar regolith influences plant and microbial interactions, and how in turn, these interactions affect plant development and health, 3) identify and test bioremediation methods/techniques to enhance the ability of regolith to act as a growth substrate, and 4) understand how lunar dust exposure impacts host/microbial interactions in human-analogous model systems under simulated microgravity conditions.

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NASA Selects 11 Space Biology Research Projects to Inform Biological Research During Future Lunar Exploration ... - Science@NASA

Biology

Those without Biology at 10+2 exams can now become doctors – IndiaTimes

NEW DELHI: Those who have cleared 10+2 exams with physics, chemistry and mathematics as core subjects can still become a doctor eventually. All they must do is to clear biology/biotechnology examination as an additional subject at 10+2 level from any recognised board, say the latest guidelines of National Medical Commission (NMC ). A public notice issued by NMC said candidates who have undertaken the study of requisite subjects physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology along with English even as additional subjects after passing Class XII will be permitted to appear in NEET-UG test for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in India. Such candidates will also be eligible for grant of eligibility certificate a legal proof given by NMC to a candidate, certifying that she/he is eligible to pursue undergraduate medical courses abroad.

Earlier, a candidate was required to have undergone two years of regular/continuous/co-terminus study of physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology in Class XI and XII with practicals, along with English to be eligible to pursue MBBS or BDS. The two years study was required to be completed from a regular school and not from any open school or as a private candidate.

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Those without Biology at 10+2 exams can now become doctors - IndiaTimes

Biology

More Space Biology and Lab Upkeep Day Before Thanksgiving – NASA Blogs

Four Expedition 70 crewmates wish a Happy Thanksgiving from the International Space Station to the Earth below. Watch the video on YouTube. Credit: NASA TV

All seven members of the Expedition 70 crew spent Wednesday continuing its space biology research and maintaining the upkeep of the International Space Station. The orbital septet will also observe the Thanksgiving holiday and share a traditional turkey meal aboard the space laboratory.

Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli, Satoshi Furukawa, and Andreas Mogensen kicked off the day with a periodic health evaluation checking each others temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate. The trio also took turns using an otoscope examining their ear canals and eardrums. Doctors are constantly monitoring how living and working in microgravity affects an astronauts health.

Afterward, NASAs Moghbeli processed liver stem samples inside the Life Science Glovebox for the Space AGE investigation exploring regenerative medicine technology. Furukawa from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) worked in the Kibo laboratory modules airlock removing lithium-ion batteries and installing research gear to be exposed to the space environment. Mogensen from ESA (European Space Agency) wore a specialized vest filled with sensors monitoring his heart and breathing for the Cardiobreath blood pressure study.

NASA astronaut Loral OHara performed orbital plumbing tasks in both the stations Tranquility module and the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft. She then filmed a video for students on Earth demonstrating how to use a microscope in the microgravity environment of the space station.

In the orbiting labs Roscosmos segment, five-time station visitor and cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko swapped out life support and electronics gear. He also joined cosmonaut Nikolai Chub and tested communications with the Progress 84 cargo craft that is due to undock from the Poisk module and depart at the end of the month. Chub also partnered with Flight Engineer Konstantin Borisov for abdomen scans using an ultrasound device after breakfast to learn how microgravity affects the digestive system. Borisov later worked on ventilation systems in the Rassvet module.

On Thursday, the entire seven-member crew will take the day off, relax, and enjoy a hearty meal. The seven crewmates from four countries are due to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast with items such as turkey, duck, quail, seafood, and cranberry sauce. Treats awaiting the crew include chocolate, pumpkin spice cappuccino, rice cake, and mochi. Crew preference is also considered when planning festive meals in space.

Learn more about station activities by following thespace station blog,@space_stationand@ISS_Researchon X, as well as theISS FacebookandISS Instagramaccounts.

Get weekly video highlights at:https://roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/videoupdate/

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More Space Biology and Lab Upkeep Day Before Thanksgiving - NASA Blogs

Biology

Crew Studies Biology and Works in Dragon as Station Turns 25 – NASA Blogs

The space station is pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during its departure and flyaround on Nov. 8, 2021.

Space biology and Dragon work were the top duties at the beginning of the week for the Expedition 70 crew. The International Space Station also turned 25 years old today with its first module having orbited Earth since 1998.

Eye scans were on the biomedical research schedule for four astronauts on Monday afternoon. Commander Andreas Mogensen kicked off the exams activating the Ultrasound 2 device then setting up communications gear allowing doctors on the ground to remotely monitor the activities. Mogensen from ESA (European Space Agency) then took turns with flight engineers Loral OHara, Jasmin Moghbeli, and Satoshi Furukawa in the Columbus laboratory module participating in the regularly scheduled eye exams.

Mogensen partnered with Moghbeli from NASA at the end of the day and practiced SpaceX Dragon Endurance undocking and landing procedures on the crew spacecrafts computers. Mogensen earlier unpacked medical supply kits from Endurance and stowed them inside the orbital outpost. OHara from NASA and Furukawa from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) worked inside Endurance as well configuring orbital plumbing gear in the vehicle that has been docked to the station since Aug. 27.

OHara later worked on a space botany study to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education among tribal members. Five varieties of seeds provided by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma are exposed to microgravity for several months then returned to Earth and planted next to the same seeds left on Earth for comparison. Furukawa turned off a microscope in the Kibo laboratory module and removed samples for a study that was observing how cells sense gravity or the lack gravity. He then stayed in Kibo setting up research hardware and connecting an incubator for an upcoming experiment to observe stem cell growth that may support regenerative medicine technology.

In the Roscosmos segment of the space station, veteran cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko spent the day inside the Nauka science module checking its airlock, ventilation, and docking systems. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub attached sensors to himself monitoring his cardiac activity then cleaned air ducts inside the Nauka and Poisk modules. Flight Engineer Konstantin Borisov wore a sensor-packed cap that recorded his responses while practicing futuristic planetary and robotic piloting techniques on a computer.

On Nov. 20, the International Space Station passes 25 years since the first module launched into orbit. The Zarya module lifted off in November 1998 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and would shortly be joined by the Unity module less than a month later. Through this global endeavor, 273 people from 21 countries now have visited the unique microgravity laboratory that has hosted more than 3,000 research and educational investigations from people in 108 countries and areas.

Learn more about station activities by following thespace station blog,@space_stationand@ISS_Researchon X, as well as theISS FacebookandISS Instagramaccounts.

Get weekly video highlights at:https://roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/videoupdate/

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Crew Studies Biology and Works in Dragon as Station Turns 25 - NASA Blogs

Biology

Genomic study sheds light on the underlying biology of cannabis … – News-Medical.Net

A Yale-led analysis of the genomes of more than 1 million people has shed light on the underlying biology of cannabis use disorder and its links to psychiatric disorders, abuse of other substances such as tobacco, and possibly even an elevated risk of developing lung cancer.

For the study, researchers examined a genome-wide set of genetic variants in individuals from multiple ancestry groups enrolled in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Million Veteran Program, one of the world's largest genetic databases, and incorporated additional information from several other genomic databases. They were able to identify dozens of genetic variants linked to cannabis use disorder and a variety of behavioral and health issues associated with cannabis use disorder.

The study, led by Daniel Levey, assistant professor of psychiatry, and Joel Gelernter, the Foundations Fund Professor of Psychiatry and professor of genetics and of neuroscience, was published Nov. 20 in the journal Nature Genetics.

Once we understand the biology of cannabis use disorder, we can better understand associated disorders and inform the public of risks associated with marijuana use."

Daniel Levey, assistant professor of psychiatry, lead author of the study

Marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States, with more than 48 million people (18% of Americans) using it at least once in 2019, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previous research has shown that roughly one-third of people who use marijuana develop cannabis use disorder, which is defined as a problematic pattern of cannabis use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.

The new findings offer insights into the genetic factors that underlie this phenomenon, and other potentially related health risks.

For instance, they found that variants of genes that encode for three different types of receptors on neurons were associated with elevated risk for developing cannabis use disorder.

And they found that these variants linked to cannabis use disorder were also associated with the development of lung cancer. The authors added, however, that more work needs to be done to separate the effects tobacco use and other environmental factors have on cancer diagnoses from those of marijuana use.

This is the largest genome-wide study of cannabis use disorder ever conducted and as more states legalize or decriminalize the use of marijuana, such studies can help us to understand the public health risks that accompany its increased use, Gelernter said.

Source:

Journal reference:

Levey, D. F., et al. (2023). Multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of cannabis use disorder yields insight into disease biology and public health implications. Nature Genetics. doi.org/10.1038/s41588-023-01563-z.

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Genomic study sheds light on the underlying biology of cannabis ... - News-Medical.Net