Nicosia: Biological mechanisms and genes that appear to be consistently affected by microgravity in space were identified through research conducted by a team from the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING), led by Professor George Spyrou, Bioinformatics ERA Chair and Head of the Bioinformatics Department at the Institute. According to Cyprus News Agency, as human presence in space becomes increasingly long-term, Professor Spyrou discussed his team's research, which focuses on understanding how the space environment affects the human body at the cellular and molecular level. The computational approaches they employed suggest possible directions for future research, although these ideas will require substantial experimental validation. Spyrou highlighted the collaboration with the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO), aiming to bridge space science and biomedical research to improve understanding of astronaut health and gain insights that could benefit human health on Earth. The team deve loped an open-access online database and analysis platform that compiles data from space biology studies, allowing researchers to explore and analyze these data more efficiently. In discussing the collaboration with CSEO, Spyrou noted that it initiated the establishment of the Cyprus Space Research and Innovation Centre (C-SpaRC) following an invitation by CSEO President George Danos. C-SpaRC aims to establish Cyprus as a hub for space research and innovation, addressing the need for dedicated space infrastructure to support the growing space ecosystem and the Cyprus Space Cluster. Spyrou explained the demanding nature of space for humans, noting that the absence of gravity, increased exposure to cosmic radiation, and intense cellular stress can trigger biological changes. The team contributed by using advanced bioinformatics to analyze large-scale biological datasets, helping decode these changes at the molecular level. The research focuses on understanding how space affects the human body, which has been known to influence human health, though the precise biological mechanisms remain unclear. The team used bioinformatics to analyze large datasets, including gene expression data from human cells exposed to microgravity, identifying genes and cellular functions affected and exploring existing drugs that might be repurposed to counter some effects. Asked about research conclusions, Spyrou mentioned that space affects the body more deeply than previously thought, causing changes at the physiological, cellular, and gene regulation levels. The team identified specific genes and molecular pathways affected, particularly in cardiovascular function, inflammation, and cellular repair. Some biological changes persist post-spaceflight, suggesting a longer-lasting impact. Spyrou noted that while these findings are based on computational analyses and available datasets, further research and experimental validation are needed. However, they provide a foundation for understanding how the body responds to spaceflight challe nges and which biological mechanisms warrant closer investigation. The findings contribute to understanding human health in space and on Earth, identifying biological mechanisms and genes consistently affected by microgravity, particularly in cardiovascular health and the immune system. This knowledge could guide future strategies for monitoring and protecting astronaut health as human presence in space increases. Additionally, studying these processes in space may offer insights into human disease biology on Earth. Spyrou emphasized that studying the body under extreme conditions can enhance our understanding of its normal functioning, potentially improving human health in space and on Earth. Scientific publications by his team related to this research theme include works on gene expression in spaceflight, cardiovascular disease mechanisms, and the impact of microgravity on gene expression.