On March 14, 2023, 24 mice are scheduled to launch on NASA’s SpaceX CRS-27 in a NASA-funded research project headed by Mary Bouxsein, PhD. A key part of the research involves measuring body composition and body mass density both pre- and post-flight utilizing the InAlyzer2 DEXA from Medikors, distributed by Micro Photonics Inc.
The mice are part of a study to investigate the physiologic response to different levels of artificial gravity, induced by centrifugation, in mice on the International Space Station. This is a collaboration between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and there are several researchers involved in the US and Japan.
If space exploration is to include long trips, such as to Mars, or extended stays in a space station, preventing disuse attrophy from extended weightlessness will be essential for the health of the astronauts. There are terrestrial implications as well because disuse attrophy also occurs in those who spend extended times in bed rest.
We will be posting much more on this exciting project after liftoff!
Find out more about the InAlyzer2 DEXA systems.