Cancer cure could be found in space with plants grown in zero gravity
GETTY [stock image] Plants have been found to release different chemicals when cultivated in zero gravity
Scientists are working with astronauts on the International Space Station using specialised water, soil and light techniques to develop a variety of drugs. Kris Kimel, the co-founder and chairman of Space Tango in Kentucky, said: "We are doing work right now in pharmaceuticals - in cancer, in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis etc. They are very difficult, compex diseases." His collaborator Professor Joe Chappell, a lifelong friend, believes growing plants in micro-gravity will unlock their full "genetic potential." He said: "Plants have a genetic reservoir at their disposal they can use to help them contend with conditions they are faced with."
The team's have already sent Madagascar Periwinkle and Valerian seeds into orbit - known for their anti-cancer and anti-anxiety properties respectively. They are hoping to illicit changes in the former that force it to produce more beneficial compounds – or perhaps more effective ones - than current small amounts. The former is already available as a supplement in any local pharmacy. Prof Chappell, of Kentucky University, plans to germinate them in orbit to see what changes micro-gravity will trigger.
GETTY The team have already sent valerian seeds into orbit
We fundamentally believe in future there will be things manufactured in space - whether it be materials, medical devices, biological products etc – that will ultimately save lives on Earth Kris Kimel, the co-founder and chairman of Space Tango in Kentucky
Mr Kimel said: "We fundamentally believe in future there will be things manufactured in space - whether it be materials, medical devices, biological products etc – that will ultimately save lives on Earth." Prof Chappell is confident sending plants to space can increase their ability to produce healing properties. Whether it's the use of aloe to soothe a sunburn, or ginger to calm an upset stomach, plants have long been a go-to source for medicinal applications. In modern history, many of our blockbuster drugs have humble beginnings in plants.
GETTY Scientists are working with astronauts on the International Space Station
Taxol, a popular drug used to treat breast and gynaecologic cancers, was derived from the Pacific yew tree. Artemisinin, isolated from sweet wormwood plants, is deployed around the world for the treatment of malaria. Even common aspirin has roots in the willow bark tree. Prof Chappell, the university's chairman of Pharmaceutical Sciences, said: "The next step is to bring these plants back to earth and look at them for their chemistry to tease out unique chemicals for chemotherapy, antimicrobial and neurological conditions. "All my career, I've been interested in how society in general uses plants. Not only for food, but for well-being. What are those chemicals that are in plants that provide their therapeutic value?"
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Co-researcher Dr Chase Kempinski, a plant physiology consultant to Space Tango, develops the media concoctions of hormones, salts and other necessities that the plants need to grow and thrive. When plants are "stressed," they pull from a genetic reservoir to produce compounds that allow them to adapt and survive. Over hundreds of millions of years, plants have used this genetic potential to adapt to environmental change here on earth. By sending plants up for a ride on the International Space Station, the team is eliminating one core, constant force to which plants are well-adapted - gravity.
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