Sultan Alneyadi advances cardiovascular research with PCG experiment on International Space Station

Sultan Alneyadi advances cardiovascular research with PCG experiment on International Space Station

DUBAI - The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), in partnership with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), today announced the beginning of the innovative Protein Crystal Growth Experiment (PCG) on board the Kibo module on the International Space Station by astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi. The experiment was launched on the recent Space X-28 cargo mission, and was installed by AlNeyadi on 7th June 2023, marking a crucial milestone in the enduring UAE-Japan collaboration. Adnan AlRais, Manager of UAE Astronaut Programme, said, “This initiative represents a significant achievement in UAE's contribution to global space science. It underscores our commitment to strengthening international scientific partnerships and propelling our understanding of complex biological systems for the betterment of humanity.” The experiment theme was proposed by a research team from the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) in the UAE in collaboration with the Harvard Medical School in the USA and in compliance with a collaborative agreement between the UAE Space Agency, MBRSC and JAXA. The PCG experiment is focused on the protein molecule GIRK2 (G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium). This molecule is instrumental in controlling heart rate and has connections with several serious conditions, including epilepsy, cardiac arrhythmias, and addiction.