Advanced SpaceLife Research Institute

Ever wonder what actually happens to an embryo during cryopreservation? 🧊🔬 It's not as simple as "freezing" a cell. Scientists have to carefully control water movement, protect cells from ice crystal formation, and cool them so quickly that they enter a glass-like state called vitrification. This helps preserve the embryo's delicate structures until it's ready to be warmed. Cryopreservation is a balance of biology, chemistry, and precision—and it's one of the most remarkable technologies in reproductive medicine. ❄️🧬 💬 What part of the process surprised you the most? #Cryopreservation #IVF #Embryology #Vitrification #FertilityScience

🧬 Different journeys, shared challenges. Cancer survivors often face biological stressors similar to those experienced during spaceflight — including radiation exposure, bone loss, and fertility risks. 🚀 By studying these effects in extreme environments like space, scientists can gain insights that translate into better care, recovery strategies, and long-term outcomes here on Earth. At the Advanced Spacelife Research Institute, we connect research across boundaries to drive real-world impact. 🌍 #CancerResearch #SpaceResearch #BiomedicalScience #Survivorship #STEM #HealthInnovation

⏱️ Space speeds up what Earth takes years to reveal. Space acts as a biomedical time-compression laboratory — where chronic stress and degeneration unfold faster and more clearly than in Earth-based studies. 🚀 This accelerated environment allows scientists to observe, measure, and understand complex health changes in ways that would otherwise take decades. At ASRI, we harness extreme conditions to unlock insights that move medicine forward. 🧬 #SpaceResearch #BiomedicalScience #AgingResearch #STEM #Innovation #Science

Where systems connect, breakthroughs happen. RR-20 uniquely explores the intersection of reproductive health, hormone signaling, and bone loss during long-duration spaceflight. 🧬🦴 By studying how these systems interact under extreme conditions, researchers can uncover insights that are difficult — or impossible — to observe on Earth alone. We focus on the connections that drive real discovery and meaningful impact. 🌌 #SpaceResearch #RR20 #WomensHealth #Hormones #BoneHealth #STEM #TranslationalScience

A single 42-day mission aboard the International Space Station was enough to leave a biological legacy that lasted for generations. In our latest research, we found that the effects of maternal spaceflight exposure extended far beyond the mice that traveled to space. Reproductive and physiological changes were observed not only in their direct offspring (F1), but also in their grandchildren (F2), suggesting that spaceflight can induce biological changes that persist across generations. As humanity prepares for longer missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, understanding how spaceflight affects future generations will be essential for protecting astronaut health and ensuring the sustainability of long-duration exploration. Read the full study through the link in our bio. #SpaceResearch #Microgravity #ISS #SpaceBiology #AstronautHealth

Why are mouse embryos frozen? They help researchers and IVF labs verify that the products used to grow embryos are safe before they're ever used with patients. It's one of the many behind-the-scenes steps that helps protect embryo development and improve IVF outcomes. Science you probably didn't know—but definitely should. 🧬✨ #IVF #Cryopreservation #Embryology #MEA #MouseEmbryos #LabLife

Meet Lucie Ráčková, an ASRI Research Fellow based in the Czech Republic! 🌟 Lucie is an Assistant Professor at Masaryk University and an Advanced R&D Scientist at Honeywell, bringing together expertise in research, technology, and human development. At ASRI, she contributes to pioneering research on human sexuality, intimacy, biological development, and robotics in space. Lucie values the opportunity to connect with a growing community investigating questions that will be essential to supporting healthy human life in microgravity and beyond Earth. #MeetTheTeam #ASRI #SpaceResearch #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceHealth #WomenInSTEM

Meet Ryn Yee, ASRI’s Chief of Publications, based in New Zealand! 🇳🇿🚀 A science communicator, writer, editor, and former teacher, Ryn combines a love of science with a talent for storytelling. Their graduate research examined how bioastronautics and space medical technologies could support healthcare in rural and remote communities. That work highlighted the fascinating—and necessary—intersection of reproductive health and space exploration. At ASRI, Ryn helps communicate this important research while working alongside a team equally passionate about building a healthier and more inclusive future for humanity in space. #MeetTheTeam #ASRI #ScienceCommunication #Bioastronautics #SpaceMedicine #SpaceResearch

Meet Ian Sterrett 🌟 A senior Astrophysics major at UNC Chapel Hill, Ian works with the Young Worlds Lab studying young exoplanets and stars to understand how our solar system evolved. He's passionate about astrobiology and the search for life beyond Earth, which is exactly what drew him to ASRI's mission. At ASRI, Ian focuses on human-centered space research — including how intimacy and well-being factor into healthy human relationships during long-duration missions and life beyond Earth. #MeetTheTeam #ASRI #Astrophysics #SpaceResearch #Astrobiology

🦴 From space to solutions on Earth. Long-duration rodent studies have already helped drive the development of osteoporosis treatments — now benefiting millions of patients worldwide. 🚀 By studying bone loss in space, scientists can accelerate discoveries that would take years on Earth, turning extreme conditions into real-world medical breakthroughs. At ASRI, we’re committed to research that delivers impact where it matters most. 🌍 #SpaceResearch #Osteoporosis #BiomedicalScience #TranslationalResearch #STEM #HealthInnovation

One month until the total solar eclipse in Iceland, and we are so excited to bring our offering to the magic that's being created there! Use our code ALEXANDER444 for tickets and come experience the transformation of witnessing an eclipse with us. 🌑🇮🇸 #IcelandEclipse #ASRI #Eclipse2026 #SolarEclipse #Space #Astronomy

🚀 Pushing science beyond human limits. Astronauts can’t ethically or practically undergo invasive tissue studies — like ovarian or liver biopsies — during spaceflight. 🧬 That’s where rodent models become essential, enabling researchers to safely study how space impacts organs and systems at a deeper level. We use the right models to answer the questions we otherwise couldn’t — bringing critical insights back down to Earth. 🔬 #spaceresarch #biomedicalresearch #rodentresearch

What if going to space could affect not just astronauts—but their future children? 🚀 A new study found that while female mice remained fertile after 42 days in space, their children and even grandchildren showed reduced fertility, changes in muscle strength, body composition, and behavior. The findings suggest that spaceflight may cause heritable epigenetic changes that persist across generations. As we prepare for missions to the Moon and Mars, understanding these long-term risks is more important than ever. 💬 Would you still volunteer for a mission to Mars if it could impact future generations? Let us know in the comments! Youtube Link: youtu.be/WsDNvvf2vAY #Space #NASA #Mars #SpaceBiology #Science #Astronauts #SpaceMedicine

We are excited to share that the RR-20 paper is now published in PNAS. This study examines how prolonged spaceflight may affect female reproductive health and future generations, based on NASA’s Rodent Research-20 mission. As we look toward longer-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, understanding reproductive biology in space is not optional. It is part of building a sustainable future for human spaceflight. Read the paper: doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2606092… Comment below any questions/favorite facts from our research! #SpaceBiology #SpaceMedicine #HumanSpaceflight #ISS #PNAS #RR20 #ASRI

One of the greatest cosmic coincidences is happening right above our heads. The Moon is about 400 times smaller than the Sun, but it is also about 400 times closer to Earth. That remarkable ratio means they appear almost exactly the same size in our sky. When they align perfectly, the Moon completely covers the Sun, casting its umbra, or full shadow, onto Earth and creating a total solar eclipse. For a few unforgettable minutes, day becomes night as the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, is revealed. A perfect alignment, millions of years in the making. 🌑☀️ #IcelandEclipse #SolarEclipse #Astronomy #ASRI