Life Science for Space

Research Team Members

Leader 

  • prof. dr hab. inż. Andrzej Młyniec 

Team Members:

  • dr inż. Martyna Ekiert-Radecka 
  • dr Paul Holloway 
  • prof. dr hab. Katarzyna Młyniec 
  • dr inż. Agata Rudolf 
  • mgr inż. Barbara Szaflarska 
  • dr Tomasz Zajkowski 

Find out more

Research Team: Life Science for Space 

The Life Science for Space research team conducts pioneering, multidisciplinary studies at the intersection of biology, biomedical engineering, and space medicine, focusing on the challenges posed by space exploration. Our mission is to deepen the understanding of how organisms function under extreme environmental conditions and to develop innovative solutions that support human health both in space and on Earth. The team creates a unique research environment that integrates specialized laboratories: Space Health and Biomedical Engineering Lab and Space Biology and Astrobiology Lab, each dedicated to key aspects of studying organism adaptation to microgravity, cosmic radiation, and isolation. Space Health and Biomedical Engineering Lab focuses on developing innovative technologies to support astronaut health, as well as improving healthcare for the general population on Earth. The team advances novel solutions in nutraceuticals, personalized medicine, predictive microphysiological systems including Organ-on-a-Chip, and biomimetic technologies. These efforts aim not only to counteract the effects of prolonged space travel but also to enhance healthcare systems on Earth. Space Biology and Astrobiology Lab focuses on the impact of the space environment on living organisms, with particular attention to bioenergetic processes, gene expression, and the formation of protein structures such as amyloids under spaceflight conditions. These studies aim to understand the biological mechanisms responsible for adaptation to space and the effects of future long-term missions on living organisms. The Life Sciences for Space team represents a center of excellence in research at the intersection of biology, medicine, and engineering, playing a vital role in preparing for future space missions and shaping the medicine of the future. 

Research areas 

  • Research into the functioning of organisms and molecules in extreme environmental conditions, such as space conditions 
  • Development of innovative solutions supporting human health 
  • Application of research results in both space and terrestrial conditions 

Laboratories 

  • The Space Health and Biomedical Engineering Lab 
  • Space Biology and Astrobiology Lab 

Research offer 

  • Developing innovative technologies to support astronaut health 
  • Improving healthcare for the general public on Earth 
  • Developing microphysiological systems (MPS) technology to better understand physiological processes in astronauts during space missions; these systems also serve as advanced models of various diseases and age-related conditions, providing valuable data to support health improvement and treatment strategies on Earth 
  • Studying the effects of microgravity and radiation on bioenergetics, cellular stress, and aging processes, as well as the evolution and adaptation of organisms 
  • Developing biological and bioactive protective strategies, as well as components for bioregenerative life support systems 
  • Analyzing the properties of amyloids in space conditions, with particular emphasis on their stability, interaction with DNA, and potential biosignatures 
  • Applying proteomics, genomics, and machine learning to identify, predict, and experimentally validate protein aggregation processes and microbial adaptation