群⾺⼤学重粒⼦線医理⼯学グローバルリーダー養成プログラム

第9回重粒⼦線医理⼯セミナー
⽇程
場所

令和2年3⽉12⽇(⽊)14:00〜15︓30
群⾺⼤学重粒⼦線医学センターカンファ室

講演➀Matteo Cerri M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences
The neural control of energy expenditure:
exploiting torpor for biomedical application and space exploration
In mammals, torpor/hibernation is a state that is characterized by an active reduction in metabolic rate witha progressive decrease in body temperature. At the moment, the neural pathways responsible for themetabolic suppression that characterizes torpor are not known. Mice are facultative heterotherms, andtorpor in these rodents can be reliably triggered by changing environmental conditions. This characteristic
consents therefore to trigger torpor almost on command and the marker of neuronal activation cfos can beused to identify groups of neurons activated at torpor onset.
The metabolic suppression that characterizes torpor requires a reduction in the activity of metabolicallyactive organs. Most of these organs, such as the brown adipose tissue, are controlled by the putative
sympathetic premotor neurons located within the Raphe Pallidus. To enter torpor, these neurons have to benecessary inhibited. The inhibition of these neurons in rats induces indeed a state the resembles torpor,
called Synthetic Torpor and that can be exploited for many medical applications and for space exploration.
Synthetic torpor may in fact provide a enhanced radioprotection towards cosmic rays.
In this seminar, we’ll present a quick overview on the state of the art in hibernation research, explore what
the future steps will be and discuss possible applications.

講演②Dr Walter Tinganell Ph.D.
Clinical Radiobiology Group Leader at the GSI,
Germany

Cosmic radiation limits interplanetary travel. Can synthetic hibernation allow
this limit to be exceeded?
Space radiation is different from the radiation to which we are subjected to Earth every day. The Sun emits the majorityof his radiation in the form of visible, infrared and ultraviolet radiation. During the Solar Particle Events (SPE)the Sun, with a giant explosion on his surface releases a massive amount of energy out into space in theform of x-rays, gamma rays and streams of particles, essentially protons and electrons. In space, a large
component of the radiation comes from the galactic cosmic rays (GCR). GCRs are essentially formed of very
energetic ions, most of them are protons (80%) but there is also a component of heavier ions like Helium andIron. Thanks to their energy, GCR can penetrate habitats, spacecraft, and spacesuit creating a very
dangerous interaction with the astronauts that can lead to harmful health consequences. The major risks
associated with space radiation are the increase in cancer incidence, cognitive decline, and cardiovasculardisease. In space indeed, there is still no effective shield to protect efficiently the astronauts, especially forthe very long and far from Earth missions. The average annual dose of radiation absorbed by a man on earth
is around 3.5 mSv. Astronauts in space are exposed to a dose of ionizing radiation of about 1mSV per day ina LEO (Low Earth Orbit) and will be exposed to around 2 mSv per day in a future trip to Mars. There aredifferent shielding type, passive shielding, and active shielding. Passive shieldings are heavy and despite
they are a good solution for shielding in a hypothetical Moon or Mars base, they are still not a good option forprotecting astronauts during their trip. Other types of shielding are always under consideration.It has
recently been discovered, by the group of Matteo Cerri of the University of Bologna, a method for inducing
hibernation (torpor/synthetic hibernation) in normally non-hibernating animals. Hibernated animals undergo
various phenotypic changes. Among these, hibernated animals become more radio-resistant. Studies about
the effects of radiation on synthetically hibernated animals, we believe, will pave the way for new studies
that envisage hibernation as a possible method to help the man in future space missions.

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