Human beings have been traveling to outer space for almost four decades. In that time, astronauts have orbited the Earth in spacecraft for weeks and in space stations for periods of more than a year. During all of those space flights, medical scientists were watching and studying the astronauts. They have learned several important things about how living in space affects the human body.

First, scientists now know that human cells grow differently in space than they do on Earth. Cells bind together and form tissues much more easily in zero gravity. Now, scientists are using the Space Shuttle as a laboratory for growing cells that will be used to help sick or injured people.

For example, they can grow corneal cells to transplant in people who are losing their sight, or islet cells to produce insulin for diabetics. Other researchers are studying how zero gravity affects the growth of cancer cells.

Unfortunately, we can’t afford to send a lot of biologists into space. In the past, astronauts have helped out, says Bruce Towe, an ASU professor of biomedical engineering. “The problem is that astronauts simply don’t have a lot of time to do these kinds of experiments. It’s just not a good way to do science,” he explains.

To solve this problem, Towe has developed a sensor that monitors and tweaks nutrient and pH levels in cell cultures automatically. Unlike sensors used on Earth, this device is designed to withstand the forces of liftoff, work in zero gravity, and operate reliably over a long period of time without maintenance.—Diane Boudreau

Go to: Engineering and Technology: Bioengineering

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