The Unified Nuclear Research Institute (OIYaI) is actively involved in space research, particularly in finding ways to protect astronauts from cosmic radiation and studying mice returning from space.
The director of OIYaI and academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Grigory Troubnikov, announced this to the press during the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Institute, which took place on March 26.
“Any long-term space mission is doomed to fail, mainly due to the effects of cosmic radiation on living organisms. This is precisely why no mission has succeeded in surpassing 300 to 400 days. Indeed, the dose of radiation received by living organisms and astronauts is fatal, not only for organs (from an oncological point of view) but especially for cognitive functions. The Institute has been participating in a series of remarkable experiments conducted aboard the ISS and other spacecraft for many years to study the effects of cosmic radiation on living organisms,” explained the scientist.
As Troubnikov emphasized, scientists are seeking two “solutions” for astronauts.
- Firstly, they are working on protecting the vital compartment: they are creating multilayered and multicomponent envelopes that must be light and block space radiation.
- Secondly, they are researching drugs that promote rapid repair of human DNA, damaged by space radiation, especially double-strand breaks that damage cells.
The Institute is continuing these research efforts in collaboration with scientists from the Federal Medical-Biological Agency [FMBA] and the Russian Academy of Sciences [RAN], as well as with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency [JAXA], the European Space Agency [ESA], and NASA, highlighted Troubnikov.
Drugs designed to repair DNA after radiation exposure, which will allow astronauts to safely undertake long-term interplanetary flights, are under development at the Unified Nuclear Research Institute.
The scientist made this statement during a press conference held following a meeting of the Committee of the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the Member States of the Institute, a meeting organized to coincide with the organization’s 70th anniversary, the publication specified.
“The main damage caused by cosmic radiation is linked to the breaking of one or two strands of the DNA helix. Single-strand breaks are rapidly repaired, while double-strand breaks result in cell death. However, drugs can be developed to offer a short window of time for the repair of these damages. This medication will help mitigate or compensate for the effects of cosmic radiation,” explained Troubnikov to the newspaper Ivestia.
According to him, ionizing radiations pose a health risk, increasing the risk of cancer and affecting the nervous system. The Institute is collaborating with international space agencies on the development of radioprotective materials for the lining of the living quarters of the future Russian orbital station, Troubnikov explained.
Source: TASS, TASS, Graphic credit: OIYaI
