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Scientists send tens of thousands of worms worldwide to help a study on muscle loss in the elderly.
The tiny transparent worms will head to the International Space Station as part of a government-supported project to determine whether two drugs can prevent or slow the muscle wasting caused by microgravity.
Worms are used because they have a muscle structure similar to that of humans.
They suffer from muscle loss in many of the same conditions as humans.
In space, c-elegans worms 1 mm long will have nothing to do to keep their muscle mass and will therefore begin to lose strength quickly.
This reflects the impact of seniors on Earth and those with muscular dystrophy and diabetes.
Experts at the University of Nottingham hope that by strengthening cell batteries or improving their calcium absorption, they can slow down the process or even completely prevent it.
Dr. Bethan Phillips, an assistant professor at the university, said, "We know that microgravity speeds up the effects of muscle breakdown, such as when seniors are bedridden or recovering from an injury.
"Skeletal muscles are linked to many body systems, such as the immune system, so the health consequences are not just a loss of movement, they are much more prevalent.
"Worms have a muscle similar to human skeletal muscle, which allows us to see if these pharmaceuticals have a beneficial effect that could eventually lead to new treatments for astronauts and the elderly."
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These experiences not only offer hope to the elderly on Earth, but will also be essential to the success of future colonies on the Moon or Mars.
Astronauts can lose up to 40% of their muscle mass during a long mission and 1.5% of their bone mass for each month spent in space.
He was missing about 10% of his bone volume to Tim Peake at the time of his landing after his trip aboard the ISS.
The experiment is one of many initiatives funded by the British Space Agency, which provided nearly 3 million pounds before the 20th anniversary of the International Space Station on Tuesday.
The government says the fight against aging is one of its "big challenges" and wants to add five more years of life to its health by 2035.
A team from Liverpool will also send human stem cell tubes to the ISS to see if "heat shock" proteins can stop the inevitable decline of muscle.
In the cells of the elderly, muscles do not become stronger even when they exercise, which researchers believe could be due to inflammation in the body.
Researchers believe that "heat shock" proteins can help mitigate the impact.
Professor Malcolm Jackson, of the University of Liverpool, said: "Aging is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century and the opportunity to use microgravity to help understand the mechanisms under -Come to the age-related muscle loss is really exciting.
"There is some evidence that inflammation is behind the problems of muscle aging and if we could find a way to stop that inflammatory response, it might be beneficial.
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"The sending of cells in microgravity allows us to examine the response of muscle aging in isolation without the other effects of aging complicating the photos."
The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow will also receive nearly £ 1.3 million to explain how shaking a liquid in microgravity involves the accumulation of solid particles from highly ordered aggregates, instead of just dispersing suspended particles.
Sam Gyimah, Minister of Science, said, "This research will help people with muscular problems live longer, healthier and happier lives, and is a great example of our modern industrial strategy in action – transforming life. on Earth through an alien search. "
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