AIIMS and ISRO sign MoU to advance space medicine research for human spaceflight

Key facts

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Indian Space Research Organisation’s Human Space Flight Centre signed an MoU on Monday to collaborate on space medicine research.
• The collaboration covers ground-based and space-based studies in human physiology, cardiovascular and autonomic regulation, musculoskeletal health in microgravity, microbiome and immunology, genomics and biomarkers, and behavioural health.
• Prof K K Deepak explained that microgravity-induced muscle loss, bone weakening and fluid shifts mirror accelerated ageing, aiding understanding of similar terrestrial conditions.
• AIIMS director Prof M Srinivas stated the MoU will open new frontiers in medical research and benefit patients, the nation and humankind.
• ISRO chairman and secretary of the Department of Space V Narayanan highlighted that partnerships with institutions like AIIMS will strengthen India’s human spaceflight capabilities.
• The MoU was signed by AIIMS director M Srinivas and Dinesh Kumar Singh, director of ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre, in the presence of V Narayanan and senior AIIMS faculty and students.