Ground Breaking!One small step for mice, one giant leap for mankind: Chinese scientists grow mouse embryos in space, paving the way for humans to colonise other planets

Chinese scientists sent thousands of early-stage embryos into space

Some successfully developed into balls of cells called blastocysts

It suggests mammals might be able to reproduce in space environment

Findings improve the chances of humans colonising distant worlds

Chinese scientists have successfully grown mouse embryos in space, becoming the first group in the world to overcome the biological hurdles of reproduction in orbit.

If confirmed, the findings suggest mammals could one day reproduce in the harsh microgravity environment of space – which could vastly improve the chances of humans being able to colonise distant worlds.

Scientists feared the development of embryos on Earth require gravity to ensure cells organise correctly so the resulting limbs, organs and tissues.

Scientists in China claim to have successfully grown mouse embryos in space, making them the first group in the world to successfully do so. The team sent early embryos into orbit aboard a probe, which then developed into blastocysts, a balls of cells (stock image) which marks a key developmental stage.

According to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the early stage mouse embryos were launched aboard the SJ-10 space probe with a number of other experiments earlier this month, in a retrievable capsule. 

The capsule spent several days in orbit aboard the SJ-10 probe before returning to Earth.

High resolution images show that some of the embryos developed into balls of cells called blastocysts – a key developmental stage at which the embryo can be implanted into the womb.

Exposing mice embryos to microgravity is a key step in the long path to colonising other planets. 

Space agencies have carried out a number of experiments in which embryos have been taken into space to expose them to microgravity, before being returned to Earth for implantation in surrogate mice.

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If the Chinese group's findings are confirmed, they suggest that mammals could one day be able to reproduce in the harsh microgravity environment of space – which could vastly improve the chances of humans being able to colonise distant worlds. Pictured is a mouse embryo at a much later stage

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Thousands of the early stage mouse embryos were launched aboard the SJ-10 space probe earlier this month (pictured) with a number of other experiments earlier this month, in a retrievable capsule 

However, previous attempts to grow mammalian embryos have been hampered by biological factors.

EMBRYOS IN SPACE

In 1996, Nasa astronauts attempted to develop mouse embryos in microgravity aboard the Columbia space shuttle.

Those which had been exposed to the microgravity environment stopped growing

The space embryos stopped development at a key stage, when a central axis is established down the middle of the embryo, to orientate the cells as they become more specialised and develop into major sections of the body.

The findings led researchers to believe that gravity is crucial to this axis being established.

But the Chinese team look to have overcome the issues which have plagued previous attempts, and have been able to develop mouse embryos to the blastocyst stage - which could be implanted into surrogate mice.

If confirmed, the findings suggest that mammals could one day be able to reproduce in the harsh microgravity environment of space – which could vastly improve the chances of humans being able to colonise distant worlds. 

In the mid-1990s, Nasa astronauts attempted to develop mouse embryos aboard the Colombia space shuttle.

But embryos exposed stopped growing at an early stage of cell division, indicating that gravity played a crucial role in embryonic development.

The breakthrough findings reported by the Chinese team look to have overcome the issues which have plagued previous attempts.

Speaking to China Daily, principle researcher of the experiment, Professor Duan Enkui of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: 'The human race may still have a long way to go before we can colonize space.

'But before that, we have to figure out whether it is possible for us to survive and reproduce in the outer space environment like we do on Earth.'

He added: 'Now, we finally proved that the most crucial step in our reproduction – the early embryo development – is possible in the outer space.'

According to China Daily, more than 6,000 embryos were carried aboard the probe in a self-contained chamber the size of a microwave, which contained the cell culture and nutrients.

Images were taken at regular intervals and transferred to the Chinese space agency – the Chinese National Space Administration.

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Mouse embryos have formed the basis of a number of  developmental biology experiments to test the effects of space on mammals. The breakthrough findings reported by the Chinese team look to have overcome the issues which have plagued previous attempts (stock image of laboratory mice pictured)

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Nasa is working with the Japanese space agency, JAXA, to conduct similar experiments aboard the International Space Station (pictured). Frozen mouse embryos are being exposed to radiation of space before being returned to Earth to be implanted in surrogate mice

Following their recovery, the embryos will undergo further analysis to see if their brief time in space has affected their cell structure, function, and gene expression.

Prior to the launch, chief scientist of the SJ-10 mission, Hu Wenrui, explained: 'All experiments conducted on SJ-10 are completely new ones that have never been done before either at home or abroad.

'They could lead to key breakthroughs in our academic research.'

In addition to the early embryo experiment, other projects included testing the effects of radiation on the genetics of fruit flies and rat cells, as well experiments on fluid physics and combustion.

Nasa is working with the Japanese space agency, JAXA, to conduct similar experiments aboard the International Space Station. 

Frozen mouse embryos are being exposed to radiation of space before being returned to Earth to be implanted in surrogate mice.

WHY CHINA IS LEADING THE WORLD ON CONTROVERSIAL EMBRYO STUDIES 

Chinese researchers in the field of embryology are pushing the field forward, but are at odds with the global scientific community when it comes to ethics.

Recently, a group used a cutting edge gene-editing technique to alter the DNA of human embryos in the lab – a moral grey area for science. 

It was the second instance of human embryo editing reported in the space of a year, showing disregard for international consensus on the issue.

While the approach has the potential to advance science immeasurably, changes made to embryos could potentially affect future generations and give rise to fears of 'designer babies', where parents could potentially select certain genetic traits of their children.

However, advocates argue that the approach of embryonic editing could eradicate devastating genetic diseases which lower quality of life and reduce life expectancy.

Read more: Daily Mail