296 research outputs found
Translation from Microgravity Research to Earth Application
The topic Translation from Microgravity Research to Earth Application comprises publications focusing on space life sciences, gravitational biology and space medicine. It covers publications reporting the impact of altered environmental conditions, such as microgravity (µg), cosmic radiation and isolation on organisms down to the level of cells. In addition, the topic collects studies validating causal diagrams of human health risks for spaceflight, hypergravity studies and investigations about the impact of extreme isolation in the Antarctica on the human body.
µg provides a unique research environment and an opportunity to identify the mechanism of gravity-sensing and related signaling pathways, regulation and adaptation responses at the cellular, tissue and organism level, covering animals, plants and humans. µg-research is supported and validated by ground-based studies in µg-analogues and simulations, as well as under increased gravitational (hypergravity) conditions, providing comprehensive and new knowledge on the regulation of cellular and subcellular functioning
Euglena, a Gravitactic Flagellate of Multiple Usages
Human exploration of space and other celestial bodies bears a multitude of challenges. The Earth-bound supply of material and food is restricted, and in situ resource utilisation (ISRU) is a prerequisite. Excellent candidates for delivering several services are unicellular algae, such as the space-approved flagellate Euglena gracilis. This review summarizes the main characteristics of this unicellular organism. Euglena has been exposed on various platforms that alter the impact of gravity to analyse its corresponding gravity-dependent physiological and molecular genetic responses. The sensory transduction chain of gravitaxis in E. gracilis has been identified. The molecular gravi- (mechano-)receptors are mechanosensory calcium channels (TRP channels). The inward gated calcium binds specifically to one of several calmodulins (CaM.2), which, in turn, activates an adenylyl cyclase. This enzyme uses ATP to produce cAMP, which induces protein kinase A, followed by the phosphorylation of a motor protein in the flagellum, initiating a course correction, and, finally, resulting in gravitaxis. During long space missions, a considerable amount of food, oxygen, and water has to be carried, and the exhaled carbon dioxide has to be removed. In this context, E. gracilis is an excellent candidate for biological life support systems, since it produces oxygen by photosynthesis, takes up carbon dioxide, and is even edible. Various species and mutants of Euglena are utilized as a producer of commercial food items, as well as a source of medicines, as it produces a number of vitamins, contains numerous trace elements, and synthesizes dietary proteins, lipids, and the reserve molecule paramylon. Euglena has anti-inflammatory, -oxidant, and -obesity properties
apex: A new commercial off-the-shelf on-board computer platform for sounding rockets
In order to supersede the aging Microchip ATMEGA328P as the de facto standard for Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) On-Board Computers
(OBCs) with a more powerful system for different kinds of high-speed sensors and image acquisition applications, we developed advanced
processors, encryption, and security experiment (apex). The platform consisting of a newly developed OBC using COTS components has been
flight tested during the ATEK/MAPHEUS-8 sounding rocket campaign. The main advantages of the apex OBC lies in the speed and simplicity
of the design while maintaining operational security with a redundant master-master microcontroller system, as well as dual flash storage
within each master. Additionally, a single board computer with a containerized and failure-resistant Operating System (OS) (balenaOS)
was included to allow usage of a high-definition camera or other more compute-intensive tasks. The bench and flight tests were performed
successfully and already showed feasible ways to further improve operational performance
Molecular response of Deinococcus radiodurans to simulated microgravity explored by proteometabolomic approach
Regarding future space exploration missions and long-term exposure experiments, a detailed
investigation of all factors present in the outer space environment and their effects on organisms of
all life kingdoms is advantageous. Influenced by the multiple factors of outer space, the extremophilic
bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans has been long-termly exposed outside the international Space
Station in frames of the tanpopo orbital mission. the study presented here aims to elucidate molecular
key components in D. radiodurans, which are responsible for recognition and adaptation to simulated
microgravity. D. radiodurans cultures were grown for two days on plates in a fast-rotating 2-D clinostat
to minimize sedimentation, thus simulating reduced gravity conditions. Subsequently, metabolites
and proteins were extracted and measured with mass spectrometry-based techniques. our results
emphasize the importance of certain signal transducer proteins, which showed higher abundances
in cells grown under reduced gravity. these proteins activate a cellular signal cascade, which leads to
differences in gene expressions. Proteins involved in stress response, repair mechanisms and proteins
connected to the extracellular milieu and the cell envelope showed an increased abundance under
simulated microgravity. focusing on the expression of these proteins might present a strategy of cells
to adapt to microgravity conditions
Approaches to Assess the Suitability of Zooplankton for Bioregenerative Life Support Systems
Future manned space exploration will send humans farther away from Earth than ever before (e.g., to Mars), leading to extended mission durations and thus to a higher demand for essentials such as food, water and oxygen. As resupplying these items from Earth is nearly impossible, aquatic bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) appear to be a promising solution. Due to its central role in aquatic ecosystems, zooplankton could act as a key player in aquatic BLSS, linking oxygen liberating, autotrophic producers and higher trophic levels. However, prior to the utilization of BLSS in space, organisms proposed to inhabit these systems have to be studied thoroughly to evaluate any space-borne adverse traits, which may impede a proper function of the system. To investigate the impact of microgravity (μg), in particular, several platforms are available, providing μg periods ranging from seconds (Bremen drop tower and parabolic flights), to minutes (sounding rockets), up to even days and months (space flights and the International Space Station (ISS)). Furthermore, ground-based facilities, such as clinostats, enable the of candidate organisms to variable periods of simulated/functional μg. In this book chapter, research on zooplankton utilizing these methods is summarized
Growth and biofilm formation of Penicillium chrysogenum in simulated microgravity
Penicillium sp. are one of the main fungal genera detected on board the Russian Space Station (MIR) and the International Space Station (ISS), demonstrating its ability to grow on the space stations´ walls and to maintain growth under microgravity (1-3). As a spore-forming microorganism, Penicillium sp. poses a concern for planetary protection and to human/astronaut health, as its spores, associated with respiratory diseases, can be dispersed through the air (4). Fungal growth on the ISS has shown to promote biodegradation of the spacecraft materials, compromising their integrity. Biofilms are groups of organisms adhered to each other by self-synthesized extracellular polymeric substances, and are ubiquitous in industrial and natural environments (5). It has been reported that Penicillium sp. forms biofilms, which are associated with higher tolerance/resistance to adverse conditions (6). Therefore, biofilm formed on the ISS may have deleterious effects on astronaut’s health and/or on ISS materials.
To gain valuable knowledge to control biofilm during long duration spaceflight missions, the NASA-funded project “Characterization of Biofilm Formation, Growth, and Gene Expression on Different Materials and Environmental Conditions in Microgravity” is currently being prepared. Pre-flight testing include: defining and optimizing the growth medium and culturing conditions of P. chrysogenum DSM 1075; characterizing the morphological response of P. chrysogenum growth under simulated microgravity; assessing biofilm formation by P. chrysogenum under different conditions.
The study of this fungal strain represents the beginning of a new line of research on board ISS. The knowledge gained can be applicable to a) the safety and maintenance of crewed spacecraft, b) planetary protection, c) mitigation of biofilm-associated illnesses on the crew, as well as on the Earth. Besides, P. chrysogenum is of major medical and historical importance, as it presents the original and present-day industrial source of the antibiotic penicillin, and as an important producer of antifungal proteins and other relevant enzymes
Differential effects of hypergravity on immune dysfunctions induced by simulated microgravity
Microgravity (μg) is among the major stressors in space causing immune cell dysregulations. These are frequently expressed as increased pro-inflammatory states of monocytes and reduced activation capacities in T cells. Hypergravity (as artificial gravity) has shown to have beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system both as a countermeasure option for μg-related deconditioning and as gravitational therapy on Earth. Since the impact of hypergravity on immune cells is sparsely explored, we investigated if an application of mild mechanical loading of 2.8 g is able to avoid or treat μg-mediated immune dysregulations. For this, T cell and monocyte activation states and cytokine pattern were first analyzed after whole blood antigen incubation in simulated μg (s-μg) by using the principle of fast clinorotation or in hypergravity. Subsequent hypergravity countermeasure approaches were run at three different sequences: one preconditioning setting, where 2.8 g was applied before s-μg exposure and two therapeutic approaches in which 2.8 g was set either intermediately or at the end of s-μg. In single g-grade exposure experiments, monocyte pro-inflammatory state was enhanced in s-μg and reduced in hypergravity, whereas T cells displayed reduced activation when antigen incubation was performed in s-μg. Hypergravity application in all three sequences did not alleviate the increased pro-inflammatory potential of monocytes. However, in T cells the preconditioning approach restored antigen-induced CD69 expression and IFNy secretion to 1 g control values and beyond. This in vitro study demonstrates a proof of concept that mild hypergravity is a gravitational preconditioning option to avoid adaptive immune cell dysfunctions induced by (s-)μg and that it may act as a booster of immune cell function
Radiation Response of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells
To understand the mechanisms of disturbed differentiation and development by
radiation, murine CGR8 embryonic stem cells (mESCs) were exposed to ionizing radiation and
differentiated by forming embryoid bodies (EBs). The colony forming ability test was applied for
survival and the MTT test for viability determination after X-irradiation. Cell cycle progression was
determined by flow cytometry of propidium iodide-stained cells, and DNA double strand break
(DSB) induction and repair by γH2AX immunofluorescence. The radiosensitivity of mESCs was
slightly higher compared to the murine osteoblast cell line OCT-1. The viability 72 h after
X-irradiation decreased dose-dependently and was higher in the presence of leukemia inhibitory
factor (LIF). Cells exposed to 2 or 7 Gy underwent a transient G2 arrest. X-irradiation induced
γH2AX foci and they disappeared within 72 h. After 72 h of X-ray exposure, RNA was isolated and
analyzed using genome-wide microarrays. The gene expression analysis revealed amongst others a
regulation of developmental genes (Ada, Baz1a, Calcoco2, Htra1, Nefh, S100a6 and Rassf6),
downregulation of genes involved in glycolysis and pyruvate metabolism whereas upregulation of
genes related to the p53 signaling pathway. X-irradiated mESCs formed EBs and differentiated
toward cardiomyocytes but their beating frequencies were lower compared to EBs from
unirradiated cells. These results suggest that X-irradiation of mESCs deregulate genes related to the
developmental process. The most significant biological processes found to be altered by
X-irradiation in mESCs were the development of cardiovascular, nervous, circulatory and renal
system. These results may explain the X-irradiation induced-embryonic lethality and
malformations observed in animal studies
Hypergravity attenuates Reactivity in Primary Murine Astrocytes
Neuronal activity is the key modulator of nearly every aspect of behavior, affecting cognition, learning, and memory as well as motion. Hence, disturbances of the transmission of synaptic signals are the main cause of many neurological disorders. Lesions to nervous tissues are associated with phenotypic changes mediated by astrocytes becoming reactive. Reactive astrocytes form the basis of astrogliosis and glial scar formation. Astrocyte reactivity is often targeted to inhibit axon dystrophy and thus promote neuronal regeneration. Here, we aim to understand the impact of gravitational loading induced by hypergravity to potentially modify key features of astrocyte reactivity. We exposed primary murine astrocytes as a model system closely resembling the in vivo reactivity phenotype on custom-built centrifuges for cultivation as well as for live-cell imaging under hypergravity conditions in a physiological range (2g and 10g). We revealed spreading rates, migration velocities, and stellation to be diminished under 2g hypergravity. In contrast, proliferation and apoptosis rates were not affected. In particular, hypergravity attenuated reactivity induction. We observed cytoskeletal remodeling of actin filaments and microtubules under hypergravity. Hence, the reorganization of these key elements of cell structure demonstrates that fundamental mechanisms on shape and mobility of astrocytes are affected due to altered gravity conditions. In future experiments, potential target molecules for pharmacological interventions that attenuate astrocytic reactivity will be investigated. The ultimate goal is to enhance neuronal regeneration for novel therapeutic approache
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