Genetics Research

Examine DNA changes, gene expression, genetic mutations, and hereditary factors influenced by space radiation and microgravity.

62 Publications
NASA Repository

Featured Genetics Study

Genetics
4 min read

Microgravity and Cellular Biology: Insights into Cellular Responses and Implications for Human Health

This comprehensive review synthesizes findings on how microgravity alters fundamental cellular processes, revealing both significant health risks for astronauts and novel opportunities for terrestrial medicine. Microgravity disrupts immune function, bone density, and metabolic homeostasis, while paradoxically enhancing stem cell differentiation and cardiomyocyte maturation, offering new avenues for regenerative therapies.

MicrogravityHuman PhysiologyTissue Engineering
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More Genetics Publications

61 publications
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Tardigrade Proteins Protect Mammalian Cells from Dehydration Stress

Researchers successfully transferred stress-tolerant proteins (CAHS) from extremophile tardigrades into human cells. The engineered cells showed increased resilience to hyperosmotic stress, a proxy for dehydration, suggesting a powerful new biotechnology for protecting biological materials during space missions.

TechnologyGeneticsAnimals
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4 min read

Aging and Putative Frailty Biomarkers are Altered by Spaceflight

Analysis of rodent and astronaut multi-omics data reveals that spaceflight induces gene expression patterns associated with aging and frailty syndrome. Key findings show altered inflammatory and metabolic pathways, suggesting spaceflight may accelerate a state of increased physiological vulnerability, highlighting the need for a 'frailty index' to monitor astronaut health on long-duration missions.

Human PhysiologyGeneticsMicrogravity
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Space Radiation Damage Rescued by Inhibition of Key Spaceflight-Associated miRNAs

A novel countermeasure targeting three specific microRNAs (miRNAs) successfully protected human microvessel cells from simulated deep space radiation. The treatment significantly reduced DNA damage, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, offering a promising pharmacological strategy to mitigate cardiovascular risks for astronauts on long-duration missions.

RadiationGeneticsCardiovascular
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Tardigrade Secretory Proteins Protect Biological Structures from Desiccation

Study reveals that tardigrade Secretory-Abundant Heat Soluble (SAHS) proteins act as potent extracellular stabilizers, protecting cellular membranes from dehydration damage. These findings present a new class of biopreservatives with significant potential for stabilizing microbial systems for agriculture and space-based life support.

ProteomicsMicrobiologyTechnology
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3 min read

Identification of a novel Golgi-localized putative glycosyltransferase protein in Arabidopsis thaliana

Researchers have identified and localized a new protein, AtGTLP, in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. This protein resides in the trans-Golgi apparatus and is predicted to be a glycosyltransferase, an enzyme critical for cell wall biosynthesis and protein modification, providing foundational knowledge for plant-based life support systems in space.

GeneticsProteomicsTechnology
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Nuclear Architecture Shapes DNA Damage from Cosmic Radiation

Re-analysis of radiation exposure data reveals that heavy ions like 56Fe cause persistent epigenetic changes (DNA methylation), while others cause transient effects. The 3D structure of chromatin within the cell nucleus significantly influences this damage, with outer layers acting as a partial shield and active gene regions being most vulnerable.

GeneticsRadiationHuman Physiology
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4 min read

The Evolution of Temperature and Desiccation-Related Protein Families in Tardigrada Reveals a Complex Acquisition of Extremotolerance

Genomic analysis of tardigrades reveals their legendary resilience to extreme environments is not from a single source, but a complex mosaic of ancient, vertically inherited genes and key DNA repair proteins acquired from bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. This nuanced view of extremotolerance evolution provides critical insights for astrobiology and biotechnology.

GeneticsAnimalsMicrobiology
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Muscle Atrophy During Spaceflight is Linked to Liver-Muscle Metabolic Crosstalk in Mice

Transcriptomic analysis of mice after 37 days in space reveals a strong correlation between impaired lipid metabolism in the liver and gene expression patterns of muscle atrophy. This suggests a systemic, starvation-like metabolic shift, highlighting the liver's role in driving muscle loss and pointing to dietary interventions as a potential countermeasure.

MusculoskeletalMetabolomicsGenetics
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Machine Learning Uncovers Hidden Antimicrobial Resistance Threats on the International Space Station

A deep learning analysis of the ISS microbiome identified previously concealed antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in bacteria, including potential pathogens like Enterobacter bugandensis and Bacillus cereus. The findings, validated experimentally, highlight the power of AI for monitoring microbial threats to astronaut health on long-duration missions.

MicrobiologyGeneticsTechnology
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Extraterrestrial Gynecology: Could Spaceflight Increase the Risk of Developing Cancer in Female Astronauts? An Updated Review

This comprehensive review assesses the potential risk of gynecological cancers for female astronauts due to space radiation and microgravity. It highlights a significant lack of direct evidence but points to animal studies and viral reactivation as key concerns, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted research to ensure astronaut safety on long-duration missions.

Human PhysiologyRadiationMicrogravity
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Tardigrade Survival Secrets: Unraveling the Role of Antioxidants in Desiccation Tolerance

This study demonstrates that desiccation significantly increases harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tardigrades. Using RNA interference, researchers identified that the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase is essential for survival, while other enzymes and aquaporin proteins are crucial for successful rehydration, highlighting a complex, synergistic defense mechanism.

AnimalsGeneticsMetabolomics
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The Role of the Actin Cytoskeleton in Plant Root Growth and Gravitropism

This review synthesizes research on the plant actin cytoskeleton, establishing it as a critical integrator of hormonal and environmental signals that control primary root growth. Findings highlight how actin organization, particularly the formation of longitudinal bundles, drives cell elongation and mediates gravity sensing, providing foundational knowledge for growing plants in space.

MicrogravityGeneticsEarth
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3 min read

Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Metabolic Gene Changes in Mouse Bone During Simulated Microgravity

Using a hindlimb unloading mouse model to simulate microgravity, researchers found significant changes in gene expression within cortical bone after just 7 days. The study highlights the upregulation of genes involved in cellular metabolism, such as Pfkfb3 and Mss51, identifying novel pathways that could be targeted to prevent bone loss during spaceflight.

MusculoskeletalMicrogravityGenetics
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Spaceflight Modulates Key Oxidative Stress and Cell Cycle Genes in the Heart

A 15-day spaceflight study in mice reveals significant changes in cardiac gene expression, highlighting increased oxidative stress and cell cycle arrest. The findings suggest a molecular basis for spaceflight-induced cardiac deconditioning and identify potential targets for countermeasures to protect astronaut cardiovascular health.

CardiovascularGeneticsMicrogravity
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4 min read

Selective Proliferation of Highly Functional Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Microgravity Culture with Stirred Microspheres

This study demonstrates that simulating microgravity using stirred microspheres selectively expands highly functional human adipose-derived stem cells. The technique increased the population of potent SSEA-3(+) cells by over 4-fold, enhancing their regenerative capabilities and suggesting a new method for biomanufacturing high-quality stem cells for therapeutic use on Earth and during space missions.

Tissue EngineeringMicrogravityTechnology
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Relevance of the Unfolded Protein Response to Spaceflight-Induced Transcriptional Reprogramming in Arabidopsis

A study on Arabidopsis seedlings grown aboard the ISS reveals that spaceflight triggers unique gene expression changes, surprisingly making the critical Earth-based stress pathway, the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), less essential. This suggests spaceflight activates robust compensatory pathways, offering new targets for engineering resilient crops for space.

GeneticsMicrogravityTechnology
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Prolonged Exposure to Microgravity Reduces Cardiac Contractility and Initiates Remodeling in Drosophila

Fruit flies born and raised on the ISS showed significant cardiac dysfunction, including reduced contractility and output. This study reveals that microgravity triggers extensive cardiac remodeling, downregulates structural genes, and dramatically upregulates genes for protein degradation, indicating a state of 'proteostatic stress' that may be a fundamental response of heart muscle to spaceflight.

CardiovascularMicrogravityGenetics
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A Meta-Analysis of GeneLab Data Reveals Dose-Dependent Biological Responses to Space Radiation

This meta-analysis of 25 NASA GeneLab datasets reveals how biological systems respond to a wide range of space radiation doses. Key findings show dose-dependent activation of mitochondrial pathways and suppression of ribosomal and cardiac function pathways, providing critical insights for assessing astronaut health risks on long-duration missions.

RadiationGeneticsAnimals
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Brassinosteroids Inhibit Autotropic Root Straightening by Modifying Filamentous-Actin Organization and Dynamics

Ground-based study using a microgravity-simulating clinostat reveals that the plant hormone brassinosteroid enhances root gravitropism by inhibiting the root's natural straightening response (autotropism). This effect is linked to the hormone's ability to alter the organization and reduce the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton, providing a new mechanism for how plants control their growth orientation.

MicrogravityGeneticsTechnology
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Multi-omics Analysis of Multiple Missions to Space Reveal a Theme of Lipid Dysregulation in Mouse Liver

A comprehensive analysis of liver tissue from mice on multiple space missions reveals that spaceflight consistently disrupts lipid metabolism. These changes, driven by key regulators like HNF4α and PPARα, resemble the early stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), highlighting a potential health risk for long-duration space travel.

MetabolomicsProteomicsGenetics
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Multi-omics analysis of multiple missions to space reveal a theme of lipid dysregulation in mouse liver

Multi-mission analysis of mice flown on the ISS reveals that spaceflight alone, independent of re-entry stress, causes significant lipid accumulation in the liver. This dysregulation, confirmed through transcriptomics and proteomics, points to early signs of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), highlighting a potential health risk for astronauts on long-duration missions.

MetabolomicsProteomicsMicrogravity
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GeneLab Analysis Reveals a Protective FYN-Mediated Response to Space Radiation in the Cardiovascular System

Analysis of GeneLab data from ground and spaceflight experiments suggests a novel protective mechanism where space radiation activates the FYN kinase, which in turn reduces harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiovascular cells. This finding, which identifies protons as the dominant radiation source in LEO, is critical for modeling long-term astronaut heart health and developing targeted countermeasures.

CardiovascularRadiationGenetics
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FAIRness and Usability Assessment of NASA's GeneLab and Other Open-access Omics Data Systems

An evaluation of NASA's GeneLab and four other omics data systems against 14 FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability) revealed strong performance in data accessibility but significant shortcomings in interoperability. The study highlights the need for improved semantic standards to enhance data integration and reuse, a critical goal for accelerating space bioscience research.

TechnologyGeneticsProteomics
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3 min read

NADPH Oxidase Activity is Required for ER Stress Survival in Plants

A study on Arabidopsis thaliana reveals that unlike in animals, reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by NADPH oxidases (RBOHD/RBOHF) during cellular stress are protective. This pro-survival role is crucial for plant resilience, a key finding for developing robust crops for long-duration space missions.

GeneticsMicrobiologyEarth
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ERULUS Receptor Kinase Regulates Plant Root Hair Growth by Controlling Calcium Oscillations at the Plasma Membrane

This study clarifies the function of the ERULUS (ERU) protein in Arabidopsis root hairs, showing it localizes to the plasma membrane, not the vacuole as previously thought. ERU is essential for maintaining the precise frequency and amplitude of calcium oscillations required for proper tip growth, a key process for plant nutrient uptake in both terrestrial and space environments.

GeneticsMicrobiologyTechnology
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Adaptive Changes in the Vestibular System of Land Snail to a 30-Day Spaceflight and Readaptation on Return to Earth

A 30-day spaceflight study on land snails revealed significant neural plasticity in the gravity-sensing system. Post-flight snails exhibited behavioral changes and neural hypersensitivity to tilt, with readaptation to Earth's gravity occurring within ~20 hours, providing a key model for understanding astronaut vestibular adaptation.

NeurologyMicrogravityAnimals
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Dose- and Ion-Dependent Effects of Space-Like Radiation on the Skeletal System

A ground-based study in mice reveals that high-dose (200 cGy) heavy-ion (⁵⁶Fe) radiation causes significant, long-term bone loss and severely impairs the bone-forming potential of marrow cells for up to a year. This highlights a critical dose threshold and suggests simple antioxidant countermeasures may be insufficient against galactic cosmic rays.

MusculoskeletalRadiationAnimals
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On-Orbit Gene Expression Analysis: Validation of the WetLab-2 System on the ISS

NASA's WetLab-2 system successfully demonstrated on-orbit RNA isolation and real-time gene expression analysis (RT-qPCR) from bacterial and mammalian samples. Despite initial data noise from microgravity-induced bubbles, which was later resolved, the system provides a foundational capability for rapid molecular diagnostics and iterative science on long-duration space missions.

TechnologyGeneticsMicrobiology
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TNO1 Protein Identified as a Key Regulator of Root Guidance and Growth in Arabidopsis

A ground-based study on Arabidopsis thaliana reveals that the TNO1 protein, involved in intracellular trafficking, acts as a negative regulator of root skewing. The absence of TNO1 enhances root twisting and directional growth, highlighting a critical link between vesicle transport, cytoskeletal dynamics, and plant navigation, with implications for crop cultivation in space.

GeneticsMicrobiologyEarth
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Maintaining the Factory: The Roles of the Unfolded Protein Response in Cellular Homeostasis in Plants

This review details the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), a critical cellular signaling network that helps plants manage protein misfolding caused by environmental stress. It highlights the roles of master regulators like IRE1 and bZIP transcription factors, providing a framework for enhancing crop resilience on Earth and for life support systems in space.

GeneticsMicrobiologyTechnology
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Revisiting Horizontal Gene Transfer in the Tardigrade Genome: A Response to Scientific Controversy

Following criticism of their initial claim of extensive horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in tardigrades, the authors re-analyzed multiple independent genome assemblies. They conclude that while the level of HGT is lower than first reported, it remains substantially elevated (3-7%) compared to other animals, suggesting HGT is a real and significant feature of the tardigrade genome.

GeneticsMicrobiologyAnimals
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HLB1: A Plant-Specific Protein Linking Cytoskeleton to Cellular Trafficking in Arabidopsis

A forward-genetic screen in Arabidopsis identified a novel, plant-specific protein, HLB1, that localizes to the trans-Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE). HLB1 links this critical cellular sorting station to the actin cytoskeleton, playing a key role in protein recycling to the cell surface, a process vital for plant growth and environmental response.

GeneticsMicrobiologyEarth
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Genetic Control of Chloroplast Size: The Role of the REC Gene Family in Arabidopsis

This study identifies a new gene family, REDUCED CHLOROPLAST COVERAGE (REC), in Arabidopsis thaliana that regulates the total size of the chloroplast compartment within a cell. The key protein, REC1, operates from the cytosol and nucleus, suggesting an external control mechanism that could be manipulated to enhance photosynthetic efficiency, a crucial factor for life support systems in space.

GeneticsTechnologyEarth
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Evidence for Extensive Horizontal Gene Transfer from the Draft Genome of a Tardigrade

A 2015 genomic analysis of the tardigrade *Hypsibius dujardini* initially proposed that nearly 17.5% of its genes were acquired from other organisms through horizontal gene transfer (HGT), suggesting a novel mechanism for its extreme resilience. This landmark finding proved highly controversial and was later largely attributed by the scientific community to unaccounted-for bacterial contamination, sparking a critical debate on genomic analysis methods.

GeneticsMicrobiologyRadiation
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Gravitropism and Lateral Root Emergence are Dependent on the Trans-Golgi Network Protein TNO1

A study on Arabidopsis thaliana reveals that the TNO1 protein, located in the trans-Golgi network, is essential for proper gravitropism and lateral root development. The absence of TNO1 disrupts the transport of the plant hormone auxin, leading to delayed gravity response and reduced root branching, highlighting a key molecular mechanism for plant growth orientation.

GeneticsMicrogravityEarth
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Unfolded Protein Response in Plants: A Review of Stress Signaling and Knowledge Gaps

This review synthesizes current knowledge on the plant Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), a critical cellular mechanism for managing endoplasmic reticulum stress. It highlights the roles of key sensors like IRE1 and bZIP transcription factors, comparing them to animal systems and identifying unique plant-specific pathways crucial for developing stress-resilient crops for space missions.

GeneticsMicrobiologyTechnology
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Vesicles versus Tubes: A Scientific Controversy in Plant ER-Golgi Transport

This review consolidates divergent expert opinions on how plant cells transport proteins between the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus. It highlights a major scientific controversy, contrasting the classical vesicle-based model with evidence for direct tubular connections, and concludes that the mechanism remains unresolved.

MicrobiologyTechnologyGenetics
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Galactose-Depleted Xyloglucan Is Dysfunctional and Leads to Dwarfism in Arabidopsis

This study on Arabidopsis reveals that altering the structure of the cell wall polysaccharide xyloglucan by depleting galactose makes it dysfunctional, causing severe dwarfism. The research shows that the presence of this dysfunctional component is more detrimental than its complete absence, highlighting the critical role of specific sugar side chains for proper plant growth and development.

GeneticsMicrobiologyTechnology
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3 min read

Endoplasmic Reticulum: A Central Hub for Plant Stress Sensing and Response

This review synthesizes current knowledge on the plant endoplasmic reticulum (ER), highlighting its critical role as a sensor and mediator of cellular stress. By managing protein quality, initiating signaling pathways, and influencing cell fate, the ER is fundamental to plant adaptation, with major implications for developing resilient crops for space missions.

GeneticsProteomicsEarth
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HZE Radiation Triggers a Unique Dual Stress Response in Plants, Combining DNA Damage and General Stress Pathways

A study on Arabidopsis thaliana reveals that high-energy HZE radiation, a key risk in deep space, elicits a unique transcriptional response. Unlike gamma rays, HZE not only activates core DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair genes but also triggers a broad, systemic stress response similar to heat and wounding, providing critical insights for protecting future space-based agriculture.

GeneticsRadiationMicrobiology
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Absence of γ-sarcoglycan alters the response of p70S6 kinase to mechanical perturbation in murine skeletal muscle

A study in mice reveals that the muscle protein γ-sarcoglycan is crucial for deactivating the p70S6K growth signaling pathway after mechanical stress. Its absence, a model for muscular dystrophy, leads to prolonged, uncontrolled signaling, providing key insights into mechanotransduction pathways relevant to muscle atrophy in space.

MusculoskeletalGeneticsMicrogravity
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A Two-Way Street: How Cellular Stress and Growth Hormones Regulate Each Other in Plants

Research in Arabidopsis thaliana reveals a critical two-way link between the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), a key cellular stress pathway, and the growth hormone auxin. ER stress was found to suppress auxin signaling, while ER-based auxin transport is essential for a full UPR, uncovering a novel mechanism plants use to balance growth with stress adaptation.

GeneticsMicrogravityEndocrinology
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IRE1: A Master Regulator of Cellular Stress and Cell Fate

This review synthesizes research on the IRE1 protein, a critical sensor in the cell's Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). It reveals IRE1's dual role, acting as a switch that either promotes cell survival under mild stress or actively triggers cell death when stress is severe, a finding with major implications for astronaut health in space.

GeneticsMicrobiologyHuman Physiology
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5 min read

Organization of the ER–Golgi interface for membrane traffic control

This review compares the organization of the ER-Golgi transport system in different eukaryotes, focusing on mammalian and plant cells. It highlights how the conserved COPI and COPII trafficking machinery is adapted to meet diverse cellular demands, such as transporting large cargo in mammals versus supporting mobile Golgi units in plants, providing insights into the fundamental control of the secretory pathway.

MicrobiologyGeneticsHuman Physiology
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Microgravity Induces Pelvic Bone Loss through Osteoclastic Activity, Osteocytic Osteolysis, and Osteoblastic Cell Cycle Inhibition by CDKN1a/p21

A 15-day spaceflight study in mice reveals that microgravity causes rapid bone loss through three distinct mechanisms: increased bone resorption by osteoclasts, active bone degradation by osteocytes (osteocytic osteolysis), and inhibition of new bone formation via p21-mediated cell cycle arrest in osteoblasts. These findings identify novel targets for countermeasures against bone loss on long-duration missions.

MusculoskeletalMicrogravityGenetics
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3 min read

A Single Amino Acid Acts as a 'Clasp Knife Spring' Controlling Bacterial Pressure-Relief Channels

By creating hybrid channels from E. coli and S. aureus, researchers identified a single amino acid at the protein-lipid interface that controls how bacterial mechanosensitive channels (MscL) respond to pressure. This 'molecular spring' dictates both the sensitivity and duration of the channel's opening, providing a fundamental insight into how cells sense mechanical forces.

MicrobiologyGeneticsProteomics
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Microbial Emergency Release Valves: How Bacteria Survive Osmotic Shock

This review details the function of two critical protein families, MscS and MscL, which act as mechanosensitive channels to protect microbes from bursting under sudden osmotic stress. These channels serve as 'emergency release valves,' a fundamental survival mechanism with significant implications for controlling microbial life in space environments.

MicrobiologyGeneticsProteomics
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Mapping the Dynamic Interactions of a Bacterial Pressure-Relief Channel

Using disulfide trapping and electrophysiology in E. coli, this study maps the dynamic interactions within the MscL mechanosensitive channel. The findings reveal how specific protein domains move during channel opening, either locking it closed or stabilizing partially open states, providing a detailed model for how cells regulate internal pressure.

MicrobiologyProteomicsGenetics
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Engineering a Bacterial Channel into a Tunable Nanovalve for Biosensor and Drug Delivery Applications

Researchers demonstrated three distinct, reversible methods to control the pore size of the bacterial MscL channel, effectively turning it into a tunable nanovalve. By genetically modifying a key structural linker, they could precisely reduce ion flow, a finding with major implications for developing on-demand drug delivery systems and advanced biosensors for space missions.

TechnologyMicrobiologyGenetics
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TNO1 Protein Plays a Key Role in Plant Salt Tolerance and Intracellular Trafficking

A NASA-funded study in Arabidopsis identifies a novel protein, TNO1, as a critical component for proper intracellular protein transport and tolerance to salt and osmotic stress. The findings reveal a key link between the cell's trafficking machinery and its ability to withstand environmental challenges, offering new targets for engineering resilient crops for space missions.

GeneticsMicrobiologyEarth
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Engineering a Biological Nanovalve: Charge Manipulation Controls Permeation in the MscL Channel

This study demonstrates that introducing electrical charges into the pore of the bacterial MscL channel not only gates it but also selectively controls the passage of large charged molecules. This finding is critical for developing triggerable nanovalves for targeted drug delivery, with potential applications in delivering medical countermeasures during space missions.

TechnologyMicrobiologyGenetics
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4 min read

Unconventional Nuclear-Cytoskeletal Linking by Spag4 and Yuri Gagarin is Essential for Male Fertility

A study in Drosophila reveals that the SUN protein Spag4 is critical for male fertility by anchoring the sperm tail's basal body to the nucleus. This process unexpectedly relies on the coiled-coil protein Yuri Gagarin, not a traditional KASH partner, defining a novel pathway essential for sperm development and cellular architecture.

GeneticsMicrobiologyHuman Physiology
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