On September 9, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft left Earth to conduct the first private spacewalk. Beyond allowing civilians, billionaire Jared Isaacman and engineer Sarah Gillis, to discover space, this mission was also an opportunity to embark a program of 36 scientific experiments. The University of Paris Est Créteil (Upec) was there!
The Mondor Institute for Biomedical Research (IMRB), affiliated with Inserm, the University of Créteil and the French Blood Establishment (EFS), is, in fact, at the forefront of research into sickle cell disease, a very widespread genetic disease. This hereditary pathology that affects red blood cells is more common in populations of sub-Saharan African origin, the Antilles or the Mediterranean basin. Since a large population of Mondor patients is affected, the AP-HP hospital has developed in-depth knowledge of sickle cell disease. A dedicated center was even opened a few years ago, as part of the work of the IMRB.
Treating sickle cell disease and preparing for trips to Mars
It is in this context that the group of hematologist Professor Pablo Bartolucci, who works on red blood cell diseases such as sickle cell disease and has already filed three patents, participated in one of the experiments of the SpaceX Polaris Dawn program. Specifically, his team will work on the blood samples of the astronauts, taken before their departure and immediately after their arrival, comparing them with those of a group of people of the same sex and age, taken at the same time. “The goal is to better understand the mechanisms of hemolytic anemia in space and its potential consequences during long-term trips such as those to Mars,” indicates the University of Créteil.
“This experiment will enable advances in both the understanding and treatment of certain diseases and in the prevention of risks to the health of astronauts,” UPEC develops, recalling that the university is one of the few in Europe to have been selected to participate in the program. The first results are expected within 6-8 months.
The research group is also involved in the European Space Agency (ESA) BRAVE project, which is testing strategies to minimise the negative effects of stays in microgravity.
