Space Health Research on Muscle Loss: The Myogenesis Experiment aboard the Ax-4 mission

Long-duration space travel comes with unique health challenges, and one of the most significant is muscle loss. Astronauts in microgravity environments rapidly lose muscle mass, and their muscle cells’ ability to regenerate declines.

To counter this, leading global agencies are conducting critical space health research. One such study is the Myogenesis experiment, a collaborative effort involving ISRO, ESA, and the Axiom-4 mission. This research could help protect astronauts on long missions and offer new hope for people on Earth suffering from muscle-wasting diseases and age-related muscle degeneration.

What Is Myogenesis?

Myogenesis is the biological process through which skeletal muscle tissue forms and regenerates. In space, microgravity interferes with this process, causing muscles to deteriorate faster and regenerate poorly.

The Myogenesis experiment aims to uncover how microgravity affects muscle development at the cellular level, particularly the role of mitochondria in muscle stem cells. Researchers are also testing chemicals that could support mitochondrial function and stimulate muscle repair in space.

Why Muscle Loss Happens in Space

In microgravity, there is no gravitational resistance, which means muscles are not used the same way they are on Earth. Over time:

• Muscle fibers shrink
  
• Stem cells lose their regenerative capacity
  
• Mitochondrial function is disrupted

Researchers believe these effects mimic age-related muscle loss and conditions like muscular dystrophy. This makes space an ideal environment for modeling and studying muscle degeneration.

Agencies and Missions Involved in the Myogenesis Experiment

ISRO (India)

• The Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem) proposed the Myogenesis experiment.
  
• It was conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of India’s microgravity research efforts.
  
• ISRO selected Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to perform the experiment during the Axiom-4 mission.
  

ESA (European Space Agency)

• Running parallel muscle studies focused on electrical stimulation and regenerative therapies.
  
• Investigating the metabolic pathways that contribute to muscle dysfunction in microgravity.
  

Axiom Space – Axiom-4 Mission

• A private mission to the International Space Station involving an international astronaut crew.
  
• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla carried out the Myogenesis operations inside the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG).
  

Potential Benefits on Earth

This study is not just about protecting astronauts. It could have meaningful applications for human health on Earth, including:

• New treatments for age-related muscle loss
  
• Improved therapies for muscle-degenerative diseases
  
• Enhanced rehabilitation strategies for surgical recovery and athletic injuries
  

Powering Space Health Research: TrialX Tools for Data Collection and Analysis

We are building the digital infrastructure that enables researchers to conduct space health research in extreme, low-connectivity environments like the International Space Station. Our tools are designed to meet the unique challenges of collecting, managing, and analyzing health data in orbit.

Central to this effort is the EXPAND Database and Biorepository, a platform developed in collaboration with the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH). The database serves as a centralized system for aggregating and curating biomedical and clinical data from commercial spaceflights. It allows researchers to compare outcomes across missions and monitor longitudinal changes in astronaut health, including muscle loss, mitochondrial function, sleep, cognitive performance, and stress biomarkers—all highly relevant to the objectives of Myogenesis.

We are also developing HERMES, a TRISH-funded system for autonomous health data collection in space. TrialX was selected in 2023 to build this platform to improve both healthcare delivery and long-term research for spaceflight participants. HERMES supports real-time or delayed syncing of biometric and cognitive data, integrates with wearable devices and digital assessments, and is adaptable for both operational health monitoring and structured research protocols.

Although TrialX is not directly involved in the Myogenesis experiment, platforms like the EXPAND Database and HERMES are built to support future studies of muscle atrophy, stem cell regeneration, and related life science investigations in space. As research expands, our tools offer a secure and scalable backbone for data collection and cross-mission analysis, helping scientists extract deeper insights from complex experiments like Myogenesis.

Next Steps in Space Health Research

The Myogenesis experiment represents a major step forward in space health research. By uncovering how muscle cells respond to microgravity, scientists are identifying new paths for protecting astronaut health and creating therapies that could benefit people on Earth.

With ISRO, ESA, and Axiom Space working together, and with research platforms from TrialX supporting future studies, we are entering a new phase of personalized, precision health research beyond Earth’s boundaries.

Explore how our Remote Data Collection Platform can support your research from Earth to orbit and contact us for queries.