Sławomir Uznański-Wiśniewski returned to Earth and thus ended the cosmic part of his investigation on the global Space Station. There, the astronaut performed 13 experiments submitted by Polish institutions, including 2 from the Military method Academy. Returning from the mission, however, does not mean that work on these projects is finished.
Among the 13 experiments prepared by Polish scientists, conducted by Sławomi Uznański-Wiśniewski during the Ax-4 mission, there were 2 studies submitted by specialists from the Center for Biomedical Engineering of the Institute of Optoelectronics of the Military method Academy of Warsaw. According to task managers at WAT, in both cases everything went as planned.
As part of the Human Gut Microbiot experiment, which aims to survey intestinal microbes, or alleged intestinal microbiome during a space mission, samples from astronauts were taken before flight, 3 times on ISS (at the beginning of their stay, during and at the end of their mission), as well as after returning to Earth. “The next, last download was scheduled in about 3 months,” says prof. Elżbieta Trafny, head of the program.
He adds that the samples taken on the global Space Station after adequate packaging and description had to be frozen to -80°C within 20 minutes to prevent bacteria from multiplying and changing the composition of the microbiote. “This required an astronaut to decision in a comparatively short time to the ISS module, where a low-temperature freezer was located, which was a challenge, given the state of reduced gravity,” says Prof. Trafny.
The samples together with the astronauts returned to Earth and frozen in dry ice fly to WAT from the United States where the Dragon capsule landed. Then they will go to the lab, where the microbes in them will be examined. “We want to discover how stress, diet, cosmic radiation and the conditions of reduced gravity accompanying the space mission influenced the changes in intestinal bacteria,” explains Prof. Trafny. As he adds, the experimentation can aid in the future to plan astronaut nutrition. investigation results can be expected early next year.
Another WAT task – Immuno Multiomics – besides afraid the impact of low gravity on the wellness of astronauts, more specifically on their immune system. As part of this experiment, Uznański-Wiśniewski was supported by more experienced astronauts: Peggy Whitson, Ax-4 mission commander, and NASA astronauts. The first samples were taken on the second day in orbit and the second before leaving the station. Blood was besides collected before the mission began and after returning to Earth.
As Dr. Alicja Trębińska-Stryjewska, the task manager, said, everything on board went as planned, while the tense minute for WAT researchers was the hold of the mission. “The blood samplers had their expiration date and if the astronauts had not recommended them now and only in autumn, they would should be re-prepared,” she explains and points out that it was not an easy process.
The tubes are glass, and if they crashed aboard the ISS, the shrapnel would make a major threat to astronauts and equipment. Therefore, before sending them into space, the WAT squad had to wrap them tightly with a peculiar tape. Then the quality inspector from the European Space Agency carefully analysed each sampler, checking for air bubbles between tape and glass, sharp edges or inequality.
Blood samples frozen to -80°C have been on the ISS for now due to the fact that they did not fit into the Dragon capsule. “Some another experiments, specified as yeast or algae, had to return to the ground first,” explains Dr. Trębińska-Stryjewska. So the tubes are waiting for a cargo flight, which will most likely take place next February. We should be patient. Fortunately, our experimentation involves drawing blood from astronauts six and 12 months after returning to Earth from the mission, so we would not be starting our investigation now," says the task manager.
After receiving samples, scientists isolate genetic material from immune strategy cells. They will then compare gene expression and DNA methylation in samples taken before, during and after the mission. They want to find how space flight and its associated conditions, including radiation and microgravity, affected the immune strategy of astronauts, how they adapted to space conditions and whether everything returned to average after returning to Earth. “For now, we are waiting for samples and final samples, and the results of the investigation will not be known for more than a year,” concludes Dr. Trębińska-Stryjewska.
