This project explores the impact of microgravity on genomic health and function in order to understand the health effects of space travel.
In the future, more and more people will be going into space for work, leisure, or even habitation.
Our chromosomes have evolved to function and repair in normal gravity, so aspects of genomic health and function will be impacted by existing alterations of gravity, specifically low gravity.
Using the newly acquired random positioning machine available at 明星八卦, the project will assess on Earth the impact on chromosome organisation and movement of prolonged exposure to simulated microgravity.
Understanding microgravity’s effect on cellular mechanisms
Given that space travel will become increasingly popular, we need to understand the impact of microgravity on the biomechanical mechanisms that are active within our cells.
This includes our DNA contained in chromosomes within cell nuclei. All chromosomes sit within cell nuclei in regions called chromosome territories, and these territories are found in specific locations of cell nuclei.
We have found that upon specific external stimuli, specific chromosomes are moved very rapidly and actively to new nuclear locations by biomechanical means.
We have some evidence after analysing chromosomes in cells that had been on the International Space Station (ISS) that chromosomes are negatively affected by microgravity (Barrachevia et al., 2020).
This means more research and analysis are required to understand how space travel affects the impact on the genomic health of our cells.
Chromosome health analysis under simulated microgravity
Primary cells will be grown and subjected to simulated microgravity on the Random Positioning Machine.
After specified exposure times, we will analyse the health of the chromosomes in control cells compared to cells that have been exposed to microgravity.
This will be performed by visualising and positioning whole chromosomes by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), changes in epigenetics by chromatin immuno-precipitation and indirect immunofluorescence, as well as analysis of the ability of chromosomes to move non-randomly following an external stimulus through nuclear motors.
We are fortunate to have one of a few Random Positioning Machines in Europe at 明星八卦 and the expertise in-house to analyse the impact on chromosomes and the genome of microgravity.
Meet the Principal Investigator(s) for the project
Dr Joanna Bridger - Our research concerns how the genome is spatially organised, influenced and manipulated within its environment, the cell nucleus. The group has had a number of major advances and is currently focused on aspects of genome behaviour in replicative senescence, the premature ageing disease Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, host:pathogen interactions and female cancers. We are wish to understand how structures such as the nuclear lamina, nucleoskeleton and nuclear motors influence the functionality of the genome in health and disease.
Our newest interest is in how the genome can be organised and regulated in low gravity situations and space.
Related Research Group(s)
Organ-on-a-Chip - The group鈥檚 main research focus is on women鈥檚 health and developing four main organ-on-a-chip (OOC) models: the breast, vagina, ovary, and placenta.
Genome Engineering and Maintenance - Diverse research network focused on molecular, cellular, organismal and computational aspects of genome biology.
Partnering with confidence
Organisations interested in our research can partner with us with confidence backed by an external and independent benchmark: The Knowledge Exchange Framework. Read more.
Project last modified 04/11/2024