On Aug. 22, 2025, the Mayo Clinic announced that its pioneering exploration of stem cell-based therapies for bone loss is headed to space. Abba Zubair, M.D., Ph.D., is medical director of Transfusion Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy at Mayo Clinic in Florida.

He is leading research exploring how bone-forming stem cells behave in microgravity in hopes of developing novel treatments for diseases that cause bone loss, including osteoporosis. Dr. Zubair’s research is one of several science experiments selected by NASA as part of the 33rd SpaceX Commercial Resupply Mission to the International Space Station.

Dr. Zubair believes the research also will provide hope for hundreds of millions of people worldwide affected by osteoporosis, the disease that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. His research also is aimed at improving the health of astronauts. Astronauts lose measurable bone density while living in space.

Dr. Zubair’s team has identified a protein in the body called IL-6 that can send signals to stem cells to promote bone formation or bone loss. Dr. Zubair’s research will investigate whether a new compound can block IL-6 signals and reduce bone loss while in space. 

Dr. Zubair’s research could potentially advance treatments for brain injury, lung disease, stroke and neurological recovery, cancer, blood stem cell therapies, and epilepsy.