S. Huang, N. Guillen, E. Andrade, M.K. Ballon, A. Huang
Advanced Technology Technician (AT3) Program,
United States
Keywords: yeast, saccharomyces, microgravity, nasa, DNA repair, genome, human health, proteomics, disease, pharmaceutical, cells, metabolism, cellular, RNA, protein, space
Summary:
With space exploration advancing, the effects of microgravity on human cells continues to be an important topic that is not entirely understood. The investigation aims to study the effects of microgravity on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as budding yeast, focusing on changes on genome stability and cell-cycle control. Given that Saccharomyces cerevisiae shares thousands of gene counterparts with humans, the investigation hopes to identify important biological responses to microgravity, ultimately to support countermeasures for human health. The investigation will look into the similarities between yeast and human cells that inherently indicate DNA repair, cell-cycle checkpoints, and cellular stress responses by combining live-cell imaging and quantitative proteomics. Live-cell imaging and quantitative proteomics will be performed on samples before launch and after their return from the International Space Station (ISS) to assess the effects of microgravity conditions. Genome instability and faulty cell-cycle regulation are signs of aging tissues and multiple diseases, thus, the understanding of the underlying stress-responses can influence the creation of more resilient cell-based manufacturing processes for medicines and foods and advocate protection measures that keep cells healthier under harsh conditions. Following the investigation, the results will provide insight into human health in space by influencing the building nutritional, operational, and pharmaceutical solutions.