Out of this world: Exploring wound healing in space
The ability of the human body to heal itself is an incredible process, but what happens when you take that process beyond Earth’s gravity? This question has fascinated scientists.
Back in March 2023, CUTISS and its R&D subsidiary CUTISS Innovation took a pioneering step by sending human skin cells to space aboard the International Space Station (ISS), in collaboration with the Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and SpacePharma.
The aim was to observe the biological processes and cell behavior of skin tissue in the space environment, and potentially support the development of new therapies, devices and tools for wound healing, aging, and scarring.
“For instance, to find out how different is gene expression, different ways of cell migration, cell division, things like that, and we may see something new,” Vincent Ronfard, Chief Scientific Officer, had explained.
The experiment was successfully executed. Now, new research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (JID) is shedding light on how microgravity affects wound healing.
The newly published review paper explores the parallels between chronic wounds on Earth and the wound healing challenges faced in space, offering key insights that could shape both astronaut healthcare and regenerative medicine advancements on Earth.
Why does wound healing in space matter?
In the extreme environment of space, microgravity alters fundamental biological processes. Past research has shown that astronauts experience slower wound healing, but until now, studies have primarily been conducted using animal models or simulated microgravity on Earth.
With the increase in commercial space flights and the potential for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars, understanding these effects on human skin has never been more critical.
“Skin is a fascinating organ that plays a crucial role in providing a protective barrier from the external environment, so understanding how it heals in space is essential for survival,” says Marjana Tomic-Canic, Director of Wound healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program “Wounds inflicted in space may exhibit delayed healing responses, similar to chronic wounds seen in conditions like diabetic foot ulcers or venous leg ulcers.”
The new review paper delves into how microgravity, radiation exposure, and the absence of mechanical stress impact cellular responses, metabolism, and tissue regeneration.
What’s next? The big reveal at WHS/SAWC 2025
The experiment was successfully executed, and in April 2025, researchers will share the first-ever experimental results from this ISS mission at the Wound Healing Society (WHS) and Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring.
These findings will be presented by Nathan Balukoff, a research resident fellow from Marjana Tomic-Canic’s Laboratory at the Wound Healing and Regenerative medicine Program within the Miller School’s Dr Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery.
The results will provide novel insights into how wound healing processes are altered by spaceflight and could not only inform medical protocols for future space missions, but also inspire new treatments for chronic wounds on Earth.
Pushing the boundaries of regenerative medicine
Research such as this is essential to advancing regenerative medicine and designing innovative therapeutics tailored for wound healing, scarring, and aging in extreme environments – whether that be deep space or clinical settings on Earth.
The sky is not the limit anymore.
Read the full review paper in JID here: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1kb%7EG,WJlkFDG
