Almost every function of the human body is affected by exposure to microgravity and typically involves complex changes in human tissues and organs. However, in most cases, the adaptions induced by microgravity are only temporary and typically return to normal after returning to Earth.

It uses a validated mouse model to investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying bone mass loss and other microgravity effect on different tissues such as muscles, glands, brain, and provide mouse tissues for many different researchers studying the effects microgravity has on the body at the organ and cellular levels. Pleiotrophin transgenic mice (PTN-Tg) were selected because this transgene (a foreign gene that has been inserted into its genome to exhibit a particular trait) plays an important role in bone metabolism. MDS tests the hypothesis that mice with an overexpression of the PTN gene will be protected from the osteoporosis-like effects due to microgravity.

MDS set the longest permanence in space for rodents (91 days).

Mission: Expedition 19/20, 21/22, 39/40

Launch date: 28/08/2009 00:00:00

‣ News

WEDNESDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2022

ARTEMIS 1 LIFTOFF! ‣

A leading role for our country, with the Italian space sector guided by the Italian Space Agency MORE...

SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2022

Astrosamantha has returned to Earth ‣

The astronaut concludes the Minerva mission after almost six months aboard the space outpost. Watch the video on ASITV MORE...

WEDNESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2022

Samantha Cristoforetti in charge of the ISS ‣

Samantha has become the first European woman to take the lead of the space outpost. The video is available on ASITV MORE...

WEDNESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2022

SAMANTHA CRISTOFORETTI WILL BE THE COMMANDER OF THE ISS ‣

AstroSamantha will become the first European astronaut in command of the International Space Station MORE...

THURSDAY 21 JULY 2022

ASTROSAMANTHA, THE FIRST EUROPEAN SPACEWALKER ‣

First extravehicular activity for Samantha Cristoforetti MORE...