From Orbit to Bedside: Launching a New Era in Medical Innovation | Aleksandra Stankovic | TEDxBoston

The speaker expresses a lifelong passion for space, stemming from childhood experiences like attending space camp. This personal connection drives their work, which focuses on the intersection of human health in space and the application of space-based research to improve healthcare on Earth. The reality of living in space is far from the pristine, spacious images often depicted. Instead, astronauts currently inhabit small, cramped, and noisy environments, comparable to the habitable volume of a 737 airplane, where all aspects of life – eating, sleeping, and working – occur in close proximity. These conditions can impose significant stressors on human well-being and performance. To address these challenges, researchers draw upon historical precedents and terrestrial analogs. Historical expeditions, such as those to the North Pole in the 1800s where crews were confined for extended periods, offer valuable lessons on adaptation and survival in isolated, enclosed spaces. Key takeaways include the importance of novel sensory stimulation, varied and fresh food, exercise, and meaningful work for maintaining crew morale and effectiveness. Furthermore, controlled environments on Earth that mimic space conditions, known as space analogs, are crucial for research. Examples include the Mars Desert Research Station, where simulations of Martian operations are conducted, and operational environments like submarines and Antarctic research stations. These analogs allow for the study of human health and performance in isolated and confined settings, providing insights applicable to both astronauts and other operational communities. The speaker's lab has conducted extensive research in various analog environments and even in space. This includes studies on the International Space Station (ISS) investigating brain health and immunology, as well as research in moon analogs and parabolic flights that simulate microgravity for short durations. A significant development mentioned is a proprietary MGH-developed brain monitoring tool sent on Virgin Galactic flights, allowing for the monitoring of brain function throughout all phases of flight. It's emphasized that microgravity impacts virtually every bodily system, as humans are adapted to Earth's 1G environment. The research approach is shifting towards an integrated understanding of these systems, moving beyond isolated studies to a holistic care paradigm encompassing screening, monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment, with a focus on personalized medicine technologies. Crucially, the research conducted for space exploration has direct implications for healthcare on Earth. The primary mission of the speaker's institution is to support patients and improve healthcare accessibility. Therefore, findings from space research are translated to benefit communities on Earth, particularly in remote, resource-limited, or isolated and confined settings. The conversation then shifts to what can be accomplished in space that benefits Earth. The microgravity environment offers unique advantages for biological research. Specifically, the absence of gravity-dependent convection and sedimentation allows for the formation of three-dimensional cellular structures that more accurately represent disease states. This enables the creation of organoids – microscopic multicellular structures on chips – for disease modeling and the study of new therapeutic approaches. Moreover, microgravity facilitates the creation of highly pure and uniform protein crystals, which is vital for developing new drug formulations, implantables, and medical solutions. Regenerative medicine is another exciting area, where the removal of gravity allows for the creation of intricate three-dimensional structures and scaffolds. Space also appears to accelerate cellular and tissue processes. Microgravity has been observed to accelerate tumor growth and disease progression, leading cells towards neurodegenerative states. This makes space an invaluable environment for studying aging and longevity. These observations have direct applications in creating new medicines, implantables, and synthetic tissues for transplant medicine. The speaker highlights that this is not theoretical but ongoing work, with over 25 years of high-throughput science conducted on the ISS, which is designated as a national laboratory for supporting humans on Earth. Hundreds of scientific papers demonstrate the readiness for "biomanufacturing" new drugs, therapeutics, and potentially transplant organs in space. The economic landscape of space exploration is rapidly changing, with a significant increase in rocket launches and a dramatic decrease in launch costs. This affordability makes space accessible for scientific endeavors. The development of various space station concepts and technologies, such as bioreactors and automated labs, further facilitates advanced biomanufacturing in space. A specific example of this research is the sending of patient-derived gastric cancer organoids to the ISS. This study, the first of its kind to send clinically annotated solid tumor samples, revealed that microgravity accelerated the progression of these cells towards a metastatic phenotype, offering a faster way to research and test new therapeutic strategies for cancer. Finally, the speaker emphasizes the effort to establish Boston and Massachusetts as a hub for space life sciences, leveraging the region's existing healthcare expertise and innovation. This involves educational initiatives, outreach activities, and fostering collaborations within the scientific community. The overarching message is that advancements in space exploration hold immense potential for revolutionizing healthcare and improving lives on Earth.