Biological Effects of Space Radiation and Microgravity on Mammalian Cells (Neuro Rad)
Research Area: Cellular Biology
Expedition(s): 23 and 24
Principle Investigator(s): ● Hideyuki J Majima, DDS, PhD, Kagoshima University,
Kagoshima, Japan
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Biological Effects of Space Radiation and Microgravity on Mammalian Cells (Neuro Rad) studies
the effects of space radiation on the human neuroblastoma cell (nerve cell containing a tumor)
line in microgravity. Neuro Rad evaluates the risk factors of long-term spaceflight by
investigating the ability to recover from radiation damage in microgravity. In addition, this
experiment focuses on changes in the mitochondria-related gene expression, since the
mitochondria is well known for having a crucial role in apoptosis (programmed cell death).
EARTH BENEFITS
The Neuro Rad experiment studies space radiation
effects using human nerve cells. The radiation effects
are critical for biological creatures. The data collected
during this investigation may lead to a greater
understanding of how the radiation defense system is
affected by space radiation and the microgravity
environment. The data obtained could be applied to the
development of new treatments and preventative
measures for the effects of radiation, life-style related
diseases, and aging.
SPACE BENEFITS
The data collected during this investigation may lead to a
greater understanding of how the radiation defense system
is affected by different factors from space radiation and the
microgravity environment. The data could be applied to
develop new treatments and preventative measures for the
effects of radiation, and to further investigate the effects of
long-duration human stays in space.RESULTS
The space radiation dose aboard the International Space
Station (ISS) was monitored using the on-board Passive
Dosimeter for Life Science Experiments in Space (PADLES)
hardware. The monitored data was estimated at 0.48±0.08
mSv/day. Gene expression analysis has been undertaken, and mitochondrial impairment also
has been examined for the “fixed” cells.
Astronauts at work on the Neuro Rad
experiment. JAXA image.A picture of oxidative stress level
stained with free radical detection
probe HPF (Indo et al.
Mitochondrion 2007) using laser
confocal microscope. JAXA
image.