From Immune Tolerance to Human Space Exploration

1 Abstract

This contribution summarises three interdisciplinary presentations delivered by Dr Ronald Saraswat, co-founder of Gene & Tonic Cité, at the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris. Gene & Tonic Cité is an interdisciplinary science communication initiative that received support through the FIR 2026 programme. Established to promote accessible, discussion-driven discussions on contemporary advances in life sciences, medicine and biotechnology. Bringing together researchers, students and members of the public, it encourages scientific exchange through an international and interdisciplinary perspective.

The first presentation focused on the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, introducing the discovery of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the lineage-defining transcription factor FOXP3 as central regulators of peripheral immune tolerance. It traced the historical development of the field, from early observations linking neonatal thymectomy to autoimmune disease, through the identification of CD25⁺ regulatory T cells by Shimon Sakaguchi and colleagues, to the discovery of FOXP3 as the master regulator of Treg development and function. The presentation further explored the maintenance of immune tolerance, the consequences of FOXP3 dysfunction in disorders such as IPEX syndrome, and the growing therapeutic relevance of Tregs in autoimmunity, transplantation, inflammatory diseases and cancer immunotherapy. Historical milestones, clinical examples and audience interaction were combined to communicate complex immunological concepts in an accessible manner.

Moving from immunology to the challenges of human exploration beyond Earth, the second presentation used NASA’s Artemis programme as a framework for discussing space as an extreme physiological laboratory. It examined radiation exposure, altered gravity, fluid redistribution, immune and microbiome alterations, psychological stress and circadian disruption while presenting modern biomedical approaches including the MARE experiment, BioSentinel, radiation mapping within the Orion spacecraft, organ-on-chip technologies and digital astronaut avatars. The session highlighted how innovations developed for space medicine are increasingly translated into terrestrial healthcare through telemedicine, portable diagnostics, miniaturised medical technologies and resilient healthcare systems.

A third, shorter presentation explored the scientific legacy of the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris through notable Nobel laureates, physicians, immunologists, public health leaders and science policymakers associated with the Cité. It illustrated how international academic environments foster scientific discovery, interdisciplinary collaboration and societal impact.

Although centred on distinct scientific themes, the three presentations collectively demonstrate the philosophy underpinning Gene & Tonic Cité: using contemporary biomedical research as a starting point for broader interdisciplinary discussions spanning history, medicine, technology and society. By combining scientific accuracy with historical context, audience interaction and translational perspectives, Gene & Tonic Cité seeks to make complex biological concepts accessible while fostering dialogue within one of the world’s most international academic communities.

2 Research Valorisation Note

A first-author manuscript arising from the author’s doctoral research, entitled Human Multi-Donor Proteomics Reveals Biologically Active Age-Associated Extracellular Vesicles Released by Aortic Endothelial Cells, has been submitted to Aging Cell and is currently under peer review. As the manuscript has not yet been accepted for publication, it is not presented here as a published research article. The ORCID identifier and accompanying QR code are provided to enable interested readers to follow future publications and other research outputs as they become available.