He is about to bring 360,000 worms into space

Molecular muscle experiments on worms will help scientists better understand the astronaut's loss of muscle in space.

The British Space Agency announced on September 11 a plan to bring hundreds of thousands of worms to the International Space Station (ISS) in a project called "Molecular Mechanical Experiment ", to study the phenomenon of muscle loss, Aging and negative changes in the body that astronauts face when flying into space, Phys reported.

The project with the participation of scientists from the University of Exeter, Nottingham and Lancaster of England is expected to be implemented from mid-November 2018 to February 2019. About 360,000 one-millimeter-long worms will be put on orbit by SpaceX's spacecraft in a container that is no bigger than a matchbox.

Logo of the molecular experiment project.(Photo: ESA).

The species selected for research has a scientific name, Caenorhabditis elegans . They are a round, transparent worm and have many essential biological properties similar to humans. According to Tim Etheridge, senior lecturers at the University of Exeter, C. elegans share nearly 80% of genes that are similar to humans and at the molecular level, have similarities in structure, metabolism and activity. of muscle. Besides, this nematode is fast growing and very easy to live.

Research shows that harsh space can cause astronauts to lose up to 40% of their muscles in just six months. Spatial muscle loss also resembles the aging process of the body on Earth, but the speed is accelerated many times faster.

" The experiment aims to understand the cause of neuromuscular decline in space . Research will help us understand molecular changes that cause muscle and copper problems to test the effectiveness of Low- dose muscular anti-muscular therapy , " said Nate Szewczyk, biology professor at Nottingham University.

The British Minister of Science Sam Gyimah also appreciates the purpose of the study. Gyimah believes that this pioneering project could provide better treatment opportunities for Earth muscle atrophy patients, as well as improve the astronauts' well-being.