In a pioneering move for space research, 20 fruit flies from the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS)-Dharwad will be part of India’s Gaganyaan mission. The mission is set for launch in early 2025. This experiment aims to study kidney stone formation in microgravity, a major health concern for astronauts on long-duration missions.
Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) share 77% genetic similarity with humans, making them valuable for space biology research. They are ideal test subjects because of their short life cycle. They are easy to maintain at low costs. They also resemble human disease pathways genetically.
The Malpighian tubules in fruit flies function similarly to human kidneys. They provide an excellent model for studying kidney stone formation in space. Understanding these physiological changes could lead to better prevention strategies for astronauts.
COLLABORATION BETWEEN UAS-DHARWAD & IIST
The University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, is leading this biological experiment onboard ISRO’s Gaganyaan-1 spaceflight. The Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, also plays a prominent role. The research aims to explore food preservation techniques and astronaut health protection methods. It addresses concerns such as kidney stones and bone decay in microgravity.
IIST has developed a specialized kit after a year of meticulous preparation. It contains 20 fruit flies, with 10 males and 10 females. The entire project, supported by ISRO, has a budget of Rs 78 lakhs.
ROLE OF GAGANYAAN IN SPACE EXPLORATION
India’s Gaganyaan mission is an ambitious initiative to develop human spaceflight technology. The mission includes three uncrewed flights—Gaganyaan-1, Gaganyaan-2, and Gaganyaan-3—before a crewed flight in 2026. The final stage will involve sending a three-member crew aboard an HLVM3 rocket. They will spend seven days orbiting in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Afterward, they will safely return to Earth.
KIDNEY STONE CHALLENGE IN SPACE
Astronauts in space experience bone loss, dehydration, and urine acidity changes. These factors all increase the risk of kidney stone formation. By studying fruit flies in microgravity, researchers aim to identify the molecular and genetic factors contributing to kidney stone development.
Dr. A. S. Kiran Kumar, former ISRO Chairman, emphasized, “The insights from this study could lead to preventive measures that safeguard astronaut health during long-duration space missions.”
The project is spearheaded by Dr. Ravikumar Hosamani, a former NASA Ames researcher and assistant professor at UAS-Dharwad. Dr. Hosamani has previously investigated space-related biological challenges, such as brain function in reduced gravity and cardiovascular adaptations in space.
Dr. Kiran Kumar, a leading scientist at UAS-Dharwad, highlighted the significance of this research. “Fruit flies serve as a remarkable model organism. This is due to their genetic resemblance to humans. Observing how these flies respond to space travel will help us understand physiological changes that could impact human astronauts.”
FUTURE OF SPACE MEDICINE
This groundbreaking experiment could pave the way for advancements in astronaut health. It offers insights into kidney stone prevention. It also helps with bone loss mitigation and food preservation in space. As India strengthens its human spaceflight capabilities, studies like this are essential. They ensure the well-being of astronauts on future interplanetary missions.
With the launch of Gaganyaan in 2025, India is set to make significant strides in space biology. This will contribute valuable knowledge to the global scientific community.
