UK Space Experiments Set to Tackle Childhood Brain Tumours and Muscle Loss in Space
Launching in 2025, British astronauts will spend up to six months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) conducting groundbreaking experiments. After their return, the results will be analysed here on Earth, promising revolutionary medical insights.
£2.6 Million Invested in Life-Saving Space Research
- D(MG)2, led by the Institute of Cancer Research, secured £1.2 million to study diffuse midline glioma—a deadly brain tumour in children that has defied cure due to its complex cell makeup.
- MicroAge II, from the University of liverpool/" title="Liverpool" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Liverpool, won £1.4 million to investigate muscle weakening in astronauts caused by microgravity, mirroring and accelerating age-related muscle loss on Earth.
Ministers and Scientists Back Britain’s Space Science Drive
“Space is the ultimate laboratory testbed with British scientists and astronauts harnessing the International Space Station for cutting edge research in nutrition, energy and biomedicine,” said George Freeman, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
“This £2.6m project funding will help UK scientists research how to prevent brain tumours in children, and understand the biomedical processes of ageing: research with huge benefits for mankind and health systems around the world.”
“Another example of the way UK strengths in different sectors from space to life science and cleantech drive technology leadership.”
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, added: “This ground-breaking research highlights the power of space to push through barriers, revolutionise science and enhance our lives.”
“Through a combination of national funding and our vital role in the European Space Agency, we’re ensuring UK scientists have access to the unique environment of the ISS for their research, which will benefit us all.”
How Space is Helping Crack Childhood Brain Cancer
During Brain Tumour Awareness Month, the D(MG)2 experiment will use the weightless environment of the ISS to better understand how diffuse midline glioma cells interact. This could open the door to innovative treatments.
Professor Chris Jones, expert in Childhood Cancer Biology, explained: “Survival rates for patients with diffuse midline glioma have barely improved since the 1960s.”
“However, recent advances have revealed the tumour’s biological complexities. Experiments aboard the ISS will deepen our understanding of cancer cells in 3D, giving us hope for future therapies that can stop tumours growing.”
Muscle Mystery in Space Could Unlock Ageing Secrets
The MicroAge II project will study lab-grown human muscle tissue in microgravity to see how its mitochondria—the tiny energy factories in cells—affect muscle wasting in space. The team will test if applying tension to muscles can slow this degeneration, potentially speeding up anti-ageing therapy development.
The earlier MicroAge I mission in 2021 first tested these muscle constructs aboard the ISS.
Professor Malcolm Jackson from the University of Liverpool said: “We’re thrilled to get UK Space Agency backing to study how microgravity causes muscle loss, an accelerated model of ageing.”
“Using innovative hardware developed with Oxfordshire-based Kayser Space, we will explore how changes in mitochondrial activity and muscle tension drive this loss.”
“Our findings could transform how we approach muscle wasting conditions on Earth.”
Oxfordshire Firm Kayser Space Builds Cutting-Edge Space Tech
Kayser Space Ltd is designing the specialist equipment needed for these experiments. Managing Director David Zolesi said:
“We’re excited to support these UK Space Agency projects. By providing state-of-the-art instruments for space research, we’re helping scientists make discoveries that will benefit all humankind.”
