Dr. Afshin Beheshti: The Hazards and Molecular Features of Spaceflight

This episode concludes the podcast’s series of episodes focused on space biology and space omics. NASA scientist Dr. Afshin Beheshti discusses the many high level hazards and corresponding molecular features of spaceflight throughout this episode. For instance, we begin with a discussion of the hazards of radiation and microgravity. Dr. Beheshti spends time explaining a high level view of what each hazard is, why it is a concern for spaceflight, and educates us on many useful and interesting pieces of information for each hazard. Further hazards discussed include confinement and isolation, hostile and closed environment, and distance from Earth.

After learning about all the high level hazards of extended living in space, we learn about how these hazards cause issues to human health through a series of lower level biological features. Dr. Beheshti again explains what these fundamental molecular features are, what techniques we have to study them, and ways we could overcome these problematic processes. These problematic molecular features include oxidative stress, DNA damage, mitochondrial damage, epigenetic and gene regulation changes, telomere-length dynamics, and microbiome shifts. 

We end by discussing how we can simulate and study the negative effects of space here on Earth and the future of spaceflight biology research. Dr. Beheshti explain how studies like "bed studies" and mountain climber studies can help simulate impacts on human health in space. Finally, I ask Dr. Beheshti for his view of the future. He explains NASA's surveys that can guide research and how omics research was identified as a future focus. We conclude with a discussion on the plan for Mars exploration and habitation.

For additional reading on this topic, check out Dr. Beheshti's recent Cell review: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867420314574