BOZEMAN, Mont. — A NASA space biology research project, called MeF1, conducted by Billings Clinic Bozeman physician Hansjorg Schwertz, MD, PhD, was launched into orbit.

The experiment focuses on how bone marrow cells respond to space flights for the health of astronauts.

The research will be analyzed to determine how to prevent dangerous blood clots that limit human space exploration.

NBC Montana spoke with Schwertz, who says he became interested in the study after receiving reports of astronauts experiencing blood clots in their neck veins.

“We hope to learn what those cells actually do during spaceflight, how they grow, how they differentiate and how they react to that environment,” Schwetz said.

The analysis will begin in early December to see if the cells are able to function properly.

Schwertz says a team effort and funding from NASA made the research project possible.

The SpX CRS-31 rocket will travel to the International Space Station and the experiment will begin on Monday at the station.

The Billings Clinic sent the following:

Nearly two years ago, the Billings Clinic announced that one of its Bozeman-based occupational medicine doctors had been leading efforts on a NASA space biology research project along with a team of experts from the University of Utah. On Monday, Nov. 4, those efforts took a giant step forward when a rocket carrying the project, led by Billings Clinic Bozeman physician Hansjorg Schwertz, MD, PhD, was launched into orbit.

The study was initially one of 10 selected by NASA in 2021 to expand understanding of how living systems respond, adapt and acclimate to the space environment. The project itself focused on the effects of space travel on certain blood cells and could have implications for the health and well-being of astronauts during space travel and exploration.

After nearly three years of work, Dr. Schwertz’s hope to witness the launch has come true. The experiment, called MeF1, was lifted aboard the SpX CRS-31 rocket to travel to the International Space Station (ISS).

Dr. Schwertz serves as co-primary investigator on the project along with Dr. Matthew Rondina, professor of internal medicine and pathology at the University of Utah Health. While Schwertz serves in the role of Montana-based project leader, he also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Utah. The two work among a group of highly qualified and committed researchers and technicians.

The study specifically looks at the effects of spaceflight, microgravity, and space radiation on megakaryocytes, which are the bone marrow cells responsible for producing platelets. Platelets are small circulating blood cells that help stop bleeding episodes and coordinate responses to infectious diseases, but they can also induce blood clots if they become too active.

“In the isolated environment of a space station, clots can present a serious problem,” Dr. Schwertz explained. “It is not desirable for astronauts to develop occlusive thrombi (blood clots) in space. “It requires a lot of logistics and a lot of treatment.”

The study is now in orbit and the findings upon its return could help develop measures to prevent dangerous blood clots from forming in astronauts during space missions and lead to better treatments for clotting and immune disorders on Earth.

In addition to flight experiments, ground monitoring studies will be conducted, including simulation of exposure to galactic cosmic rays. The research team, including Dr. Schwertz, will closely observe the studies in real time from Earth and analyze the experiments when they return to Earth in the near future.

The studies aim to provide unprecedented information about the adaptive processes necessary for megakaryocytes and platelets to function in the conditions humans experience during spaceflight. Additionally, the research team hopes to directly address commercial crew and passenger health issues that currently limit human space exploration, which could help develop countermeasures specific to those issues. Specifically, the results generated by the NASA-funded study could help address immune system function, dysregulated inflammatory reactions, and the unintentional development of blood clots in space crews.

“Our results will hopefully have implications for professional astronauts in low Earth orbits, but also for when we travel further afield,” Schwertz said. “In addition, this could have applications for space tourism. “You have to remember that it takes a lot of resources to train people and get them there, so you don’t want anything to happen from a medical point of view, especially if it could have been prevented.”

Schwertz tried to put into words his feelings after seeing the fruit of his team’s efforts fly into space. Describes a peculiar notion.

“After so much preparation, launching the experiment to the ISS is like saying goodbye to a family member,” he said. “There is sadness because this part is now finished, but also a lot of excitement and gratitude for how it has worked out so far.”

Below is an image of the mission patch, which appeared with the release.