If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (in Microgravity) 

What do humans and mice have in common? A lot, actually. In addition to anatomical similarities, researchers have found in rodents an analog for nearly every human gene, which is why mice make great substitutes for studying the human body. 

As NASA prepares to send astronauts to the Moon and Mars, understanding how human biology will respond to extended periods of time in microgravity is paramount to ensuring mission success. An astronaut that travels to Mars, for instance, might live in a microgravity environment for over three years — more than twice the time that any human has continuously lived in space before. 

In this 37-day experiment, mice rapidly adapted to their new circumstances. By the end of week one, they exhibited many of the same behaviors that they demonstrate on Earth: feeding, grooming, socializing, standing on their hind legs. They also shared a few new ones, like propelling themselves through mid-air to quickly traverse the enclosure. This physical activity is exactly what scientists hoped to see and will provide insight into the effects of extended periods in microgravity on human bone density and muscular development. 


For more information: svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/31338 

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