The experiments aim to study the response of immune cells and the effect of certain treatments on inflammatory conditions, to increase knowledge about the biological changes that occur in the space environment and to monitor the activity of thousands of genes in the immune cells exposed to inflammation. over time, in addition to the course of pathological processes, for the purposes of prevention and early treatment.
The scientific experiments continued for 4 days, under the supervision and monitoring of the research team led by the head of the department of molecules and researcher at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Dr. NASA, and from Riyadh, the Dr. Edward Hitti.
The experiments went through several stages, where the first stage begins with preparing live cells in special containers, and keeping them in a cell incubator for 48 hours, to adapt to microgravity conditions, and then preparing for the step before stimulating inflammatory reactions by adding compounds with therapeutic properties to inhibit enzymes that stimulate the production of proteins causing a number of inflammatory and tumor diseases.
The third stage is completed by the addition of an inflammatory reaction catalyst, to stimulate biological reactions in the cell.
In the fourth step, chemically treated or untreated samples are collected and stored at different times, from half an hour to 20 hours, to monitor the evolution of mRNA lifespan.
Parallel to the experiments carried out on board the International Space Station (microgravity), Dr. Wijdan Al-Ahmadi will carry out the same experiments in the high gravity environment, in the Biosper laboratory in collaboration with NASA, then she will analyze the samples in a exhaustive, and then compare the effect of both micro and major severities on the results.
Hands-on experiments contribute to a better understanding of human health in space and to reveal potential biomarkers or treatments for inflammatory diseases both in space and on Earth, based on biotechnology.
The scientific experiments carried out by the specialist are part of the Kingdom’s Program for Saudi Astronauts, one of the most important programs of the National Space Strategy, approved by the Supreme Council for Space, headed by Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and aims in its first phase to send two astronauts, as part of a manned flight to the International Space Station, at an altitude of approximately (420 km) above from the surface of the Earth.
It is expected that the two Saudi astronauts, along with the mission crew, will conduct 14 pioneering scientific research experiments in microgravity, which will strengthen the role of Saudi research centers to achieve scientific impact and confirm the Kingdom’s global position. in the field of space exploration and service to humanity.
It should be noted that King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center is among the world’s leading hospitals for the provision of specialist healthcare and was recently ranked 20th in the list of the best healthcare facilities in the world. for the year 2023, and the first in the Middle East and Africa, according to the ranking of Brand Finance.
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