Harnessing the Space Environment for the Discovery and Development of New Medicines

Abstract

The unique nature of microgravity encountered in space provides both an opportunity and challenge for drug discovery and development that cannot be fully replicated on Earth. Scientific studies have been conducted across most phases of the drug discovery value chain and include the generation of superior protein crystals, identification, and validation of new drug targets, microarray analyses of transcripts attenuated by microgravity, and nonclinical in vivo studies to explore potential therapeutic benefit of potential new drugs and medicines which have regulatory approval for use in humans. Studies conducted on the Mir Space Station, Space Shuttle missions, and the International Space Station have had direct benefit for drug development programs such as those directed against reducing bone and muscle loss, increasing bone formation, and help us understand mechanisms for anti-microbial resistance. More recently, the demonstration of successful 3D bioprinting in space illustrates the potential to directly benefit patients on Earth. This review will highlight advances made in both drug discovery and development, illustrate gaps in our knowledge today and provide a future vision for how drug discovery and associated technologies may be advanced by harnessing the space environment.

Chemistry‐Related Innovations in Space, Benefits of Flow Chemistry

“…In the area of life sciences, the primary goal is the deep understanding of the cellular and disease mechanisms, biological pathways, and potential protein targets that play a role in mediating the response to microgravity and/or space radiation (Braddock 2020; Ruyters et al 2017;Ryder and Braddock 2020).…”

Biomedical payloads: A maturing application for CubeSats

“…Space travel is well known to cause a range of problematic effects in astronauts; the most wellknown related to their central nervous system, cardiovascular system (in part due to fluid redistribution), musculoskeletal atrophy, immune system dysfunction and increased intracranial pressure [1] [2]. On a smaller scale, microorganisms are also affected by microgravity; due to the lack of hydrostatic pressure, sedimentation and convection currents in their culture media, which without stirring will lead to a build-up of metabolites surrounding cells and other effects [3], [4].…”

“…The interaction between microscopic effects and larger in-vivo changes in crew members is of critical importance. Pathogens such as Salmonella, Streptococcus pneumoniae and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can exhibit an increased virulence and proliferation [2], drug resistance has been reported in E. coli and E. bugandensis [6], and biofilms (surface-associated cultures that can arise naturally on Earth or on platforms like MIR and the ISS) also from E. coli have been observed to have increased biomass and thickness [3].…”

The Blood-Brain Barrier in Space: Implications for Space Travelers and for Human Health on Earth

“…At the molecular and cellular level, the microgravity of space can alter the physico-chemical properties of protein crystals, membranes and cells. Such alterations may be harnessed for better understanding of the structure of BBB receptors and therapeutic proteins, engineering of 3D constructs of the neurovascular unit, and designing new drug formulations (Amselem, 2019;Ryder et al, 2020).…”