NASA selects 10 Proposals for Twin Astronaut Study [VIDEO]

Nearly 10 proposals have been selected by NASA to study identical twin astronauts and the impact of space flights on humans.

In an effort to study the health impacts of human space exploration, the space agency's Human Research Program (HRP) will fund 10 short term investigations. NASA's HRP has been studying the effects of spaceflight on human body for over decades.

 Astronaut Scott Kelly and his identical twin brother, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, will be observed in two different settings in space and on earth and will offer scientists an opportunity to understand better the effects of microgravity on human body.

 "We realized this is a unique opportunity to perform a class of novel studies because we had one twin flying aboard the International Space Station and one twin on the ground," says Craig Kundrot, Ph.D. and deputy chief scientist of NASA's Human Research Program, in a statement. "We can study two individuals who have the same genetics, but are in different environments for one year."

The study that will begin in March 2015, with Scott aboard ISS and Mark on Earth, will mainly focus on the comparison of the blood samples collected from the duo at regular intervals before, during and after a year of the mission. During the same intervals there will be physiological and psychological tests done.

The investigations were selected from a pool of 40 proposals and cover the field of 'omics' (combined study of DNA, RNA and the complete component of bio molecules in human body).

"This pilot project will, for the first time in space, integrate physiology with 21^st century -omics techniques currently performed at leading medical schools and hospitals," says Graham Scott, NSBRI chief scientist.

The four components that will be reviewed during the study include 'human physiology', 'behavioral health' , 'microbiology' and molecular or omics studies.

"This is a unique opportunity for the agency," says Kundrot. "The investigations are a pathfinder for the agency with regard to the study of astronaut physiology."

HRA is involved in regularly assessing the health and performance of the crew members during spaceflights in order to evaluate the risks associated. Based on these assessments, it constructs strategies to watch and prevent these risks.