Project Myogenesis — Axiom Mission 4 and the ISS
Space and microgravity biology
Project Myogenesis investigates how microgravity influences human skeletal muscle stem-cell function and the capacity to maintain and regenerate muscle.
A human muscle experiment in orbit
Human skeletal muscle stem cells were cultured aboard the International Space Station during Axiom Mission 4 in a BioServe Space Technologies flight habitat, with matched ground controls at inStem.
The experiment pairs on-orbit imaging with post-flight molecular and metabolic measurements. Analysis is underway; results and intervention details will be shared only after disclosure and publication clearance.
Microgravity as an experimental context
Spaceflight produces rapid physiological deconditioning and creates a distinctive setting in which to investigate muscle maintenance and repair. Comparing flight samples with matched ground controls can reveal cellular responses that are difficult to isolate in conventional models while informing questions relevant to both human spaceflight and disuse on Earth.
Partners
The project brings together ISRO, Axiom Space, BioServe Space Technologies and Siobhan Malany at the University of Florida.
Mission coverage
Nature India reported on Project Myogenesis as part of its coverage of the Indian experiments selected for Axiom Mission 4. Axiom Space also documented the project and its operation aboard the ISS.