Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Advancing Regenerative Medicine in Space

Abstract Purpose of Review Space medicine research investigates the effects of microgravity on physiological systems to improve both astronaut health and develop clinical therapies for patients on Earth. Here, we discuss the benefits and challenges of conducting such studies and examine the role of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for advancing regenerative and space medicine. Recent Findings Recent advancements in space medicine research reflect the potential for microgravity to mimic the effects of aging and degenerative diseases at an accelerated pace. hiPSCs address previous ethical concerns with the use of embryonic stem cells while also providing a patient-specific approach to disease modeling and treatment development. Summary Overall, despite the challenges that come with performing space medicine research, advancements in stem cell technology provide new opportunities for studying biological processes in the unique conditions of space. Future work will focus on refining current techniques and further translating space-based findings into clinical applications.