The “Science Education Seminars for Society” organized by Üsküdar University continue. In this context, Üsküdar University TRGENMER Director / Project Coordinator Dr. Cihan Taştan met with science enthusiasts.
Speaking at the seminar titled “My Project Journey and Space Biology”, Dr. Cihan Taştan conveyed striking data on the effects of space on human health.
Dr. Taştan pointed out in the event, which aims to increase scientific awareness in society, that space has now become a new research area for Turkey, and that space studies not only explain the biology of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, longevity (long life), and healthy aging under space conditions but also generate high added value economically.
Dr. Cihan Taştan, who joined Üsküdar University in 2020, stated that they established the Transgenic Cell Technologies Application and Research Center (TRGENMER) in 2021 with the support of President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan.
Dr. Taştan stated that they brought the knowledge and technological infrastructure gained from his experiences abroad, especially at New York University and subsequently at Jackson Laboratory Genomic Medicine, to TRGENMER. He emphasized that he now has the opportunity to work on scientific questions he previously directed to NASA for postdoctoral research, here in Turkey, under the umbrella of Üsküdar University, with the support of the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and Tübitak Space.
Zero-Gravity Environment in Space Changes Human Gene Expression
Dr. Taştan, drawing attention to the effects of “microgravity,” or zero-gravity environment, on human biology in space, stated that studies initiated by simulating microgravity conditions in a laboratory environment have been advanced to a further stage with real space missions.
Dr. Cihan Taştan explained that the “Message (Microgravity Associated Genetics)” project, one of the 13 projects selected within the scope of Turkey's first manned space mission, examined changes in astronauts' genetic expression. He noted that the study analyzed the effects of microgravity on gene expression by comparing blood samples taken in space with samples from Earth.
One-on-One Training and Experiment Process with Astronauts
“During the project process, many undergraduate and graduate students took an active role, and Turkey's first master's theses originating from space research emerged from these studies. Numerous theses and researches are still ongoing. To enable the experiments to be conducted in space, Turkish astronauts Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever underwent comprehensive training in university laboratories. All experiment protocols were prepared in advance and planned to be applied in space.” Dr. Taştan stated, adding that genetic expression analysis studies were initiated with Gezeravcı’s mission and Atasever’s subsequent suborbital flight.
Critical Comparison with Two Different Space Missions
Dr. Cihan Taştan stated that one of the most important aspects of the research was the comparative examination of two different space missions. He noted that while astronauts reached an altitude of approximately 440 kilometers in the first mission, Atasever's 100-kilometer suborbital flight was analyzed in the second mission.
Dr. Taştan stated that this allowed for the isolation and evaluation of the effects of the zero-gravity environment from other factors such as cosmic radiation and stress. He indicated that microgravity (zero-gravity environment) is considered an important “bio-marker” in understanding the biological effects of space, and thus, they obtained data for the discovery of many previously undefined and uncharacterized genes.
Blood Samples Stored at -80 Degrees Celsius
“Within the scope of the studies, not only at the gene level but also critical biological mechanisms such as telomere structure and changes in the expression of longevity genes related to long life were examined under microgravity conditions,” said Dr. Taştan. He stated that during the research process, blood samples were taken from three astronauts — Turkish and international crew members — sent to the International Space Station (ISS) via the Dragon capsule, before they went to space, and these samples were stored at -80°C under special conditions.
Dr. Taştan stated that after reaching the ISS, blood samples were taken again from the astronauts on the 4th, 7th, and 10th days, within the framework of determined protocols and after specific physiological preparation processes (such as exercise and controlled diet). He noted that the collected samples were preserved in -80°C MELFI freezers specially designed for the ISS and delivered back to Earth.
Dr. Cihan Taştan said that with these biological materials, brought from Houston to Istanbul, to the laboratories of Üsküdar University, the effects of the zero-gravity environment in space on human genetic expression began to be analyzed in detail.
We Were Able to Distinguish Genes Affected by the Zero-Gravity Environment
Dr. Cihan Taştan explained the process by stating that in space biology studies, they had to isolate all other variables to reveal only the effect of microgravity:
“We had to eliminate many factors such as cosmic radiation, high G-force exposure during flight, stress, and fear hormones. We overcame this problem with our second astronaut, Tuva Cihangir Atasever, reaching an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers with the Virgin Galactic 07 mission. Thanks to this short-duration flight, by comparing genetic data before and after the flight, we were able to distinguish only the genes affected by the zero-gravity environment.”
We Analyzed 60,000 mRNAs
Emphasizing that studies conducted in space require high technology, Dr. Taştan drew attention to the scope of the analysis process and said, “The human body contains approximately 25,000 genes, and these genes are expressed through the production of nearly 120,000 mRNAs. We specifically analyzed about 60,000 mRNAs from blood and lymphocyte cells. We worked on millions of data copies, performed analyses lasting days, and processed gigabytes of data.”
There Are First Genes to Be Named by Turkish Scientists
Dr. Taştan stated that the data obtained was examined in three different time frames and said they had made a remarkable discovery: “We worked on LOC genes that are yet unnamed and whose functions are unknown. We observed that some genes, almost never expressed under Earth conditions, became active as days passed in space. We examined more than 60 LOC genes and revealed that 6 of them are directly related to microgravity. These genes will be among the first genes to be named by Turkish scientists.”
Effects of Space Environment on Aging and Longevity Also Examined
Dr. Taştan, also touching upon the effects of the space environment on aging and longevity, conveyed the striking results with these words:
“We observed that the AP2A1 gene family, associated with cellular aging, was significantly suppressed in space. In contrast, the expression of genes related to longevity either increases or remains stable. This indicates that cells adapt themselves to survive and live long under microgravity conditions.”
Dr. Taştan stated that the research provided important data not only for aging but also for neurological diseases, and noted the following:
“We detected that many genes related to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's were suppressed in astronauts. This offers the potential to develop new drug targets for these diseases in the future. Similarly, we observed changes in genes related to depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.”
Dr. Taştan also touched upon the psychological effects of long-duration stays in space, drawing particular attention to behavioral genes, and said, “Changes in certain genes, such as the MAOA gene, can offer important biomarkers for stress and behavioral tendencies in long-duration space missions. This data could pave the way for the use of genetic analyses in astronaut selection in the future.”
Significant Changes Detected in a Substantial Portion of Approximately 250 Genes
Dr. Taştan stated that the analyses on cognitive processes were also noteworthy, summarizing the findings regarding learning capacity as follows: “We detected significant changes in a substantial portion of approximately 250 genes related to neuroplasticity. This indicates that space can have an effect on learning and cognitive processes.”
Emphasizing that the findings obtained will not be limited to space research alone, Dr. Taştan said, “By using the biomarkers we discovered, we aim to develop new therapeutic approaches that can increase telomere length, slow down cellular aging, and support longevity without sending people to space. It is possible to translate this data into practice with gene engineering technologies like CRISPR.”
Dr. Taştan stated that the studies would be shared on international platforms and that the results obtained were capable of guiding both the scientific world and future space missions. Dr. Cihan Taştan announced that their ongoing space biology studies would not be limited to current projects, and Turkey aims to take an active role in future space missions.
Emphasizing that the project is ongoing, Dr. Taştan stated:
“We are currently continuing our space project with Beyza Aydın, our Research and Development Manager at Üsküdar University TRGENMER, and our established space working teams. In the upcoming period, we plan to contribute to new space missions within the scope of the ‘MESSAGE’ science mission. We aim for Turkey to participate in long-duration space missions, beyond 10-14 day missions, extending to 90 days and more. Our discussions in this direction are ongoing.”
Moon Mission Among New Projects
Dr. Taştan stated that new projects also include a Moon mission and innovative work on data transfer, saying, “We are working on the ‘DNA Ark,’ a DNA ship project, to transfer information from Earth to space. The goal is to copy all data onto DNA to preserve humanity's knowledge during long space journeys. We published a preliminary report of the article we wrote with our Research and Development Manager, Beyza Aydın, on this topic.”
Dr. Taştan stated that the scientific results obtained are shared on international platforms, adding that the studies have resonated within the scientific community: “In 2024 in Italy, and in 2025 with our R&D Manager Beyza Aydın, we presented our findings at the International Astronomical Congress in Sydney, Australia. This year, we applied with 10 papers for the 77th congress to be held in Antalya, and we will be participating with oral presentations for 6 of them. A significant portion of our work is in the publication phase in high-impact factor journals. Our study demonstrating that space affects genes related to healthy and long life in humans has been accepted by the Nature Publishing Group's Aging journal. Our other studies are also under review in Nature Microgravity journal.”
Dr. Cihan Taştan, also drawing attention to international collaborations, used the following expressions:
“We seized collaboration opportunities with scientists from NASA and the European Space Agency. We have reached the stage of conducting joint studies with universities in America. Our article, which was accepted by the Nature Publishing Group's Aging journal, was prepared in collaboration with Prof. Fathi Karouia, who works at NASA Ames Research Center. Throughout this entire process, we are proud to increase Turkey’s visibility in the field of space.”
Research for the Development of First Gene Therapies in Turkey Continues
Dr. Cihan Taştan noted that they are conducting studies not only in space biology but also in genetic engineering and gene therapies, and that research for the development of the first gene therapies in Turkey is ongoing.
Emphasizing that many institutions, especially the Turkish Space Agency and TÜBİTAK Space, have supported the projects, Dr. Taştan said that they realized the international experience he aimed for in the past in a different way, stating, “I had aimed to work at NASA. At the point we have reached today, thanks to these projects, both we and our students received training from NASA. Our students have become certified scientists. Our work was officially featured on NASA and Axiom Space platforms.”
Internship Call for Young People
Dr. Taştan also called on young people, especially bioengineering students, to turn towards the space field, stating, “Follow the project calls of the Turkish Space Agency and TÜBİTAK Space. Develop yourselves in areas such as biosensor development and space equipment production. Evaluate internship and research opportunities, and try to take an active role by reaching out to projects conducted at different universities.”
