Deep space environment empowering drug design and development.
10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2025.250381
- Author:
Yanpeng FANG
1
,
2
;
Bin FENG
1
;
Weizheng LI
3
;
Liyong ZHU
3
;
Fei CHEN
1
;
Wenbin ZENG
1
,
4
Author Information
1. Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha
2. 247201014@csu.edu.cn.
3. Department of General Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.
4. wbzeng@csu.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
deep space environment;
drug development;
microgravity;
protein crystallization;
radiation
- MeSH:
Drug Design;
Drug Development/methods*;
Humans;
Weightlessness;
Space Flight;
Artificial Intelligence;
Extraterrestrial Environment
- From:
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences)
2025;50(8):1371-1384
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The unique characteristics of the deep space environment, microgravity, cosmic radiation, and extreme temperature fluctuations, are emerging as major driving forces for pharmaceutical innovation. These factors provide new avenues for optimizing drug formulations, improving crystal structure quality, and accelerating the discovery of therapeutic targets. Advances in deep space research not only help overcome critical bottlenecks in terrestrial drug development but also promote progress in structure-based drug design and deepen understanding of cellular stress-response mechanisms. Current progress in space-based pharmaceutical research primarily includes the study of disease mechanisms under microgravity, protein crystallization in microgravity, and drug development utilizing deep space radiation and resources. However, the operational complexity, high costs, and limited data reproducibility of space experiments remain key challenges hindering widespread application. Looking ahead, with the integration of automation, artificial intelligence analysis, and on-orbit manufacturing, deep space drug development is expected to achieve greater scalability and precision, opening a new frontier in biopharmaceutical science.
