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Jackson Lab-Engineered 'Mighty Mice' Retain Muscle Mass In Space, Study Finds

Dr. Se-Jin Lee
/
University of Connecticut School of Medicine via AP
This August 2020 photo provided by Dr. Se-Jin Lee shows a normal mouse and a "twice-muscled" mouse developed at The Jackson Laboratory of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, Conn.

Researchers at the Bar Harbor-based Jackson Laboratory say experiments involving so-called "mighty mice" conducted aboard the International Space Station earlier this year could help NASA find ways to prevent muscle and bone loss in astronauts on long space flights.Mighty mice have been genetically engineered by the Lab for increased muscle growth, and lack a gene for a specific protein. The study found that those mice maintained their muscle mass, while normal mice lost both muscle weight and bone density.

A third group of mice which received a compound that inhibits the protein saw an increase in muscle mass and bone density.  

Jackson Lab officials say the month-long experiments might also lead to a better understanding of muscle degeneration in the elderly, or immobile patients.

Maine astronaut Jessica Meir was one of the scientists who worked on the experiment aboard the I.S.S.

Ed is a Maine native who spent his early childhood in Livermore Falls before moving to Farmington. He graduated from Mount Blue High School in 1970 before going to the University of Maine at Orono where he received his BA in speech in 1974 with a broadcast concentration. It was during that time that he first became involved with public broadcasting. He served as an intern for what was then called MPBN TV and also did volunteer work for MPBN Radio.