The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/ McGill University

Published purpose

Bone loss in astronauts is a major challenge for long-duration space exploration. In weightlessness, muscles are used less often, thus providing less stimulation of bone. In addition, astronauts often have disrupted circadian rhythms. It is known that night and rotating shift workers display an increased incidence of bone fractures. Molecular mechanisms underlying microgravity-induced bone loss are still unclear. This research aims to determine how circadian rhythms contribute to mechanical unloading-related bone loss using mouse models. Understanding the links between circadian rhythms, microgravity and bone adaptation will help to prevent bone loss in long-duration human space flights.