A UAE-based healthcare group is poised to make significant strides in space-based medical research through a groundbreaking partnership aimed at exploring the effects of microgravity on the human body. The collaboration between Abu Dhabi's Burjeel Holdings and Axiom Space, a leading global provider of human spaceflight services, was announced at a high-profile event held in New York's Times Square. The initiative will concentrate on investigating how the human body adapts to the microgravity environment of space, with the ultimate goal of creating advanced healthcare solutions that could revolutionize treatments on Earth.
The partnership will entail the deployment of cutting-edge medical technologies into space, where astronauts will conduct research during missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and other low-Earth orbit locations. The initial phase of the collaboration will involve the testing of a comprehensive set of medical instruments commonly utilized in hospitals and clinics. These tools will be employed to examine how microgravity impacts biomarkers, drug efficacy, and the delivery of remote healthcare services.
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), slated for launch next spring, will see astronauts utilizing these technologies throughout their training, launch, and space activities. The data gathered from these experiments is anticipated to offer novel insights into human health, potentially leading to breakthroughs in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases.
Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, founder and chairman of Burjeel Holdings, and John Sunil, group CEO, were both in attendance at the event. Dr. Vayalil emphasized, "Through our pioneering partnership with Axiom Space, we are not only pushing the boundaries of medical innovation in microgravity but also ensuring that patients in the UAE and worldwide benefit from cutting-edge healthcare solutions."
Dr. Lucie Low, chief scientist at Axiom Space, underscored the importance of the partnership with Burjeel Holdings, highlighting how Axiom Space is enabling organizations worldwide to conduct medical research in space. "We are redefining how humans live and work in low-Earth orbit by leveraging microgravity to deepen our understanding of the human body. Simultaneously, we are educating the global community on how to utilize the microgravity environment for scientific and technological advancements that benefit humanity," said Dr. Low.
