A groundbreaking treatment for cancer is to be developed by Kingston University scientists in a £600,000 collaboration with US space agency Nasa.

The aim of the project, which has Government backing, is to research ways of protecting astronauts from space radiation, in preparation for a manned mission to Mars in 2020.

But the work, to take place in Kingston and Nasa's Johnson Space Centre, in Houston, could also produce significant health benefits back on Earth.

A second strand of research will include possible future treatments for Alzheimer's disease, spinal injuries and organ failure.

Kingston scientists Colin McGuckin and Nico Forraz were first contacted by Nasa earlier this year, because of the university's expertise gained studying the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Radiation destroys cells in the body which naturally defend it against cancer.

But the scientists discovered that these anti-cancer cells are particularly common in the umbilical blood, which is usually thrown out after a baby is born.

Using cells from the blood, the scientists will work with Nasa on ways of increasing the body's natural cancer destroyers, as well as working on radiation-proof space suits.

The technology developed will be tested in Nasa's unmanned space missions as early as 2008 and Mr McGuckin, director of the university's stem cell laboratory, said it could have more general uses.

In further research, known as tissue engineering, the team will combine umbilical blood with stem cells taken from adult bone marrow to grow new body tissue.

The tissue is best grown in zero gravity, which mimics the condition in the human womb.

Nasa is particularly interested in the research because long periods without gravity cause bones to weaken and the agency wants to find ways in which they can be strengthened.

The researchers will have access to Nasa's zero gravity facilities and will try to grow new livers, blood cells, nerves and skin.

Mr McGuckin predicted that within five years the technology could be used to offer partial liver transplants.

And he said within 10 to 20 years nerve pathways could be grown to repair damaged spines or brain damage caused by Alzheimer's.

Mr McGuckin said initial funding lasted a year but it was expected to continue after that.

He said: "This represents the very first project on space medicine between America and the UK so it's a pretty big coup for Kingston University."

Nasa's chief biotechnology scientist, Steve Gonda, said the project was important because of the agency's obligation to keep its astronauts safe.

He said the work Mr McGuckin was doing could help future astronauts, cosmonauts and space travellers.

sbrody@london.newsquest.co.uk