Biomolecules in Space

“I think the biggest innovations of the 21st century will be at the intersection of biology and technology. A new era is beginning”-Steve Jobs

The quest for life beyond earth was just the beginning of the scientific foundation. The curiosity now supports new analytical techniques that have been developed and tested in space to support future advances in molecular and genetic study. Following Apollo 16, space was frequently employed as a tool for space exploration. As space sciences have advanced, scientists have found more and more organic compounds in the interstellar medium.

Numerous experiments have been conducted in order to better understand the chemical complexity of organic molecules found in planetary environments such as the atmosphere of any planet, carbonaceous chondrites, and comets. But to accommodate more complex and active experiments, including real-time measurements, ground-based experimentation and passive exposure facilities in space will need to be adapted to meet the requirements of modern research.

Microgravity provides a unique research environment and an opportunity to study diverse fields. The research of biomolecules is one such emerging field. For a quick overview, biomolecules are organic molecules made up of several functional groups, and compared to normal organic molecules, they are?significantly larger. It encompasses the chemistry of living things including cells?as well as it also understands how biomolecules?relate to one another and how they are essential for the survival of the living cells. Amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleotides and nucleic acids, small organic molecules, inorganic ions, and combinations of biomolecules like lipoproteins or glycoproteins?are some of the major and minor classes into which biomolecules can be divided*.*

Microgravity research on biomolecules focuses on three major principal areas—protein crystal growth, mammalian cell and their tissue culture, and lastly, fundamental biotechnology. Such research contributes to the development of fresh and comprehensive knowledge regarding the control of cellular and subcellular functioning. The lack of sedimentation in the microgravity environment makes it a lot easier to form 3D cell structures and perform bioprinting, both of which have novel potential uses in tissue and bioengineering procedures. It also aids in identifying the biological mechanisms at the cellular and tissue levels of the organism that are involved in gravity-sensing, regulation, and adaption responses. According to an article by NCBI, this research is predicted to have a substantial influence on our economy and lifestyles in the next century, with a key role in increasing health, agriculture, and environmental protection.

On Earth, gravity has a substantial impact on attempts to generate protein crystals and mammalian cell tissue. A preliminary study suggests that protein crystals formed in microgravity can provide significantly more structural details than crystals formed on Earth. The unique microgravity environment?encounters that there is a high possibility for the discovery and creation of innovative drugs that cannot be produced on Earth. Therefore, it has been determined that the microgravity condition is a more effective environment for producing superior protein crystal yield for drug development.

Researchers use X-ray diffraction and X-ray crystallography to determine the three-dimensional molecular structure of a protein. Such diverse?technological progress enabled the creation of higher-quality protein crystals and accelerates?the?determination of their enormous structures. Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), a protein associated with?Parkinson's disease, was developed in microgravity by the Michael J. Fox Foundation in collaboration with the ISS National Lab. It produces crystals that are larger and have fewer flaws than those created on Earth, which advances the field of structure-based drug design. It is thus safe to say that microgravity research speeds up the process of drug development, benefiting humans around the world. ****

The development of future medical technologies like ex vivo therapy design and tissue transplantation depends on the use of Tissue Culturing, a fundamental tool in medical research. Tissue samples created in microgravity have enhanced medical science and provide enormous potential for normal and Cancerous Mammalian Tissue growth. Furthermore, to facilitate the growth of cells and tissue in three dimensions, scientists have developed a bioreactor, a ground-based facility. Compared to previous Earth-based experimental setups, this equipment causes less stress on developing cells when it leverages the microgravity environment for cell growth.

Over the past few decades, particle technology has advanced significantly, with the emphasis changing from the macro to the micro to most recently the nanoscale. The combination of nanotechnology and biotechnology has made it possible to generate biological nanoparticles from biomolecules. Inorganic nanoparticles are synthesized using these innovative and effective scientific techniques. Recent advances, particularly in drug delivery applications, have led to the discovery of nanoparticle-based therapeutics for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases like Cancer and Diabetes. The development of biosensors and bioelectronics, food and agricultural technology, as well as applications in medicine and pharmaceuticals, are all supported by the potential of space research.