RESULTS
CSI-01 was the first in a series of experiments targeting students with an interactive approach
to increase Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) interest. More than
5,000 students participated in the CSI-01 experiments by observing differences detected
between C. elegans grown in classrooms and in-flight. Students also observed the alterations in
seed germination rates along with the seed’s ability to orient itself in space and ground samples
(Hoehn 2007). The first experiment associated with CSI-01 examined the long term growth of C.
elegans in space by observing biological changes in response to radiation and by comparing
gene expression over multiple generations grown in space. Results showed C. elegans exhibit
normal development and movements when fed with C. elegans Maintenance Medium (CeMM).
CeMM was previously proven to be a sufficient food source aboard STS-107 (Szewczyk 2005).
Although in both humans and C. elegans decreased production of myosin is observed while in
space, C. elegans displayed normal movements when sufficiently fed. This finding suggests the
decrease in muscular function is adaptive to microgravity, possibly relating this to human
cardiac, skeletal, and vascular muscles. Because movement decline was not detected
throughout the entire 12 generations observed, this also suggests there may be a muscular
decline plateau (Oczypok 2012).
PUBLICATION(S)
Oczypok EA, Etheridge T, Freeman J, et al. Remote automated multigenerational growth and
observation of an animal in low Earth orbit. Journal of the Royal Society Interface. March 2012;
9(68):596-599. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2011.0716.
Hoehn A, Countryman S, Freeman J, et al. Science research and rducation modules for the CGBA
spaceflight incubator. SAE International Journal of Aerospace. 2007; 2007-01-3188. doi:
10.4271/2007-01-3188.
Szewczyk NJ, Mancinelli RL, McLamb W, Reed DW, Blumberg BS, Conley CA. Caenorhabditis
Elegans survives atmospheric breakup of STS-107, Space Shuttle Columbia. Astrobiology.
2005;5(6):690-705. doi: 10.1089/ast.2005.5.690.
This investigation is complete and all results are published.