Gene expression studies using a miniaturized thermal cycler system on board the International Space Station

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 13; no. 10; p. e0205852
• Main Authors: Montague, Tessa G, Almansoori, Alia, Gleason, Emily J, Copeland, D Scott, Foley, Kevin, Kraves, Sebastian, Alvarez Saavedra, Ezequiel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 31.10.2018; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Astronauts; Biology; Biology and Life Sciences; Budding; Complementary DNA; Cosmic radiation; Cosmic rays; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Gene expression; Genetic analysis; Heat shock proteins; International Space Station; Manned space flight; Mars missions; Microgravity; Molecular biology; Molecular modelling; Nematodes; People and Places; Publishing; Radiation; Research and Analysis Methods; Reverse transcription; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; Science Policy; Space flight; Space stations; United States > US; Massachusetts
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205852

The distance and duration of human spaceflight missions is set to markedly increase over the coming decade as we prepare to send astronauts to Mars. However, the health impact of long-term exposure to cosmic radiation and microgravity is not fully understood. In order to identify the molecular mechanisms underpinning the effects of space travel on human health, we must develop the capacity to monitor changes in gene expression and DNA integrity in space. Here, we report successful implementation of three molecular biology procedures on board the International Space Station (ISS) using a miniaturized thermal cycler system and C. elegans as a model organism: first, DNA extraction-the initial step for any type of DNA analysis; second, reverse transcription of RNA to generate complementary DNA (cDNA); and third, the subsequent semi-quantitative PCR amplification of cDNA to analyze gene expression changes in space. These molecular procedures represent a significant expansion of the budding molecular biology capabilities of the ISS and will permit more complex analyses of space-induced genetic changes during spaceflight missions aboard the ISS and beyond.