Station Science Top News: Sept. 28, 2023

by ISS Program Science Office | 2023-10-02

Researchers discovered that mutations in a gene that promotes muscle atrophy can suppress starvation-induced muscle atrophy in roundworms. The finding suggests that identifying genes involved in this condition could advance the development of therapies to prevent its occurrence in astronauts.

Astronauts experience muscle atrophy – a decrease in size of muscle tissue – but the exact mechanisms are unknown. JAXA’s (Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency) Neural Integration System investigation examines how microgravity affects the nervous system in C. elegans, nematodes found to experience spaceflight-induced muscle atrophy. This paper examined the effects of acute nutritional deprivation and muscle disuse on nematode muscle cells. Analyzing the different factors that cause muscle atrophy in C. elegans could help identify genetic factors that regulate microgravity-induced muscle atrophy and lead to measures to prevent the condition in astronauts.

An astronaut wearing a face mask and safety glasses floats next to syringes in the space station. — Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) works on the Neural Integration System investigation. **Credit: NASA/Nicole Mann**

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Researchers using a method called glycome profiling or glycomics found changes in plant molecules that suggest spaceflight speeds up the development of woody cell walls. The finding demonstrates the feasibility of using glycomics for space-based plant studies. The method enables more analyses with the limited samples returned from spaceflight and could help uncover specific microgravity-induced changes in plant cell walls.

Plant development on Earth is strongly influenced by gravity, but many of the molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. APEX-03-1 investigates the effects of microgravity on plant development. Results support previous studies showing that spaceflight triggers changes in the expression of genes that encode alterations in plant cell walls. Glycome profiling analyzes the glycogens or polysaccharides (carbohydrates made up of a number of sugar molecules) within the cell wall. The research could lead to a better understanding of the role of gravity in plant growth, guiding genetic engineering of plants to support long-term space missions and design of crops for improving agricultural efficiency and yield on Earth.

An astronaut is bathed in pink light as he conducts an experiment inside a lighted glove box. — Expedition 42 Commander Barry Wilmore conducts Advanced Plant EXperiments 03-1 (APEX-03-1) operations in the veggie facility. **Credit: NASA/Samantha Cristoforetti**

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International Space Station Program team members attended the two-day Utah STEM Festival from Sept. 19-20, 2023. More than 10,000 students from across Utah engaged with interactive STEM experiences and more than 3,000 family members attended a family night. Team members also staffed the El Paso Space Festival from Sept. 21-23, interacting with an estimated 1,300 students at a series of events. Representatives from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center shared their message on ILLUMA-T at that event as well.

Groups of people participate in table-based activities at a festival. — International Space Station Program team members engage youth and their parents in STEM activities during the Utah STEM Festival (left) and the El Paso Space Festival (right). **Credit: NASA**