Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/662005
t m c » p u l s e | a p r i l 2 0 1 6 16 16 to space, based on the acknowl- edgment that time spent in space does present risks. The agency had already observed higher amounts of radiation exposure (astronauts on the ISS experience as much as 20 times more radiation than on Earth) as well as fluid shifts and bone and muscle loss in astronauts return- ing from short stints in space, and with hopes for further exploration, a branch dedicated to the develop- ment of new methods and technol- ogies to mitigate these concerns was critical. Working closely with the Human Research Program on this endeavor is the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI), a consortium governed by 12 institutions, including Texas Medical Center members Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University, dedicated to reducing the human risks inherent in long duration spaceflight while also translating their research into applications for advancing human health here on Earth. When the Twins Study was initiated—after an innocent question from the brothers themselves—the Human Research Program and NSBRI put out an industry-wide call for proposals. Ultimately, 10 investi- gations covering a wide scope of scientific inquiry were selected, and thus began a first-of-its-kind broad-spectrum analysis of how the human body adjusts to zero gravity, radiation exposure, isolation and the unique stressors of the space- flight environment. Two of the 10 studies look specifically at human physiology and how microgravity may provoke changes in muscles and organs such as the heart or the brain. One of these studies, jointly led by NASA and the Dana-Farber/ Harvard Cancer Center, will study metabolomic and genomic mark- ers of atherosclerosis as related to oxidative stress, inflammation and vascular function, taking an in-depth look at the cardiovascular health and function of Scott and Mark before, during and after the mission. As with anything NASA has ever done, the aptly named Twins Study will benefit more than just the mission at hand or the astro- nauts involved. "I don't think it's an exaggera- tion to say that everything we learn about the human body, whether it's in space or on the ground, benefits all of us here on earth," said John Charles, Ph.D., chief scientist for NASA's Human Research Program. NASA developed the Human Research Program in early 2004 to support the health and perfor- mance of individuals traveling I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that everything we learn about the human body, whether it's in space or on the ground, benefits all of us here on earth. — JOHN CHARLES, PH.D. Chief Scientist for NASA's Human Research Program O V E R T H E C O U R S E O F T H E O N E -Y E A R M I S S I O N , S C O T T K E L LY T R AV E L E D M I L E S 143,846,525