Author: "Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449]" - Searchworks@Jio Institute Digital Library Search Results

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76 results on '"Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449]"'

1. How are cell and tissue structure and function influenced by gravity and what are the gravity perception mechanisms?

Author: Davis, Trent [0000-0001-5704-0335], Tabury, Kevin [0000-0002-8004-3718], Zhu, Shouan [0000-0002-4973-1504], Angeloni, Debora [0000-0002-3850-5392], Baatout, Sarah [0000-0001-8110-751X], Benchoua, Alexandra [0000-0002-9980-6471], Bottai, Daniele [0000-0002-7951-9512], Buchheim, Judith-Irina [0000-0003-3605-955X], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Cavalieri, Duccio [0000-0001-6426-5719], Choukér, Alexander [0000-0002-0133-4104], Cialdai, Francesca [0000-0002-2290-0566], Ciofani, Gianni [0000-0003-1192-3647], Cusella, Gabriella [0000-0003-2642-3346], Degl'Innocenti, Andrea [0000-0002-5204-5601], Desaphy, Jean-Francois [0000-0001-8816-9369], Frippiat, Jean-Pol [0000-0002-4027-6269], Gelinsky, Michael [0000-0001-9075-5121], Genchi, Giada [0000-0002-2154-7991], Grano, Maria [0000-0002-7121-5899], Grimm, Daniela [0000-0002-4991-3105], Guignandon, Alain [0000-0002-0745-5417], Hatton, Jason [0000-0002-5763-2944], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Hellweg, Christine E. [0000-0002-2223-3580], Iorio, Carlo Saverio [0000-0003-0952-0064], Karapantsios, Thodoris [0000-0001-6641-3359], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Lulli, Matteo [0000-0002-8528-4094], Malda, Jos [0000-0002-9241-7676], Morbidelli, Lucia [0000-0001-8148-7049], Van Ombergen, Angelique [0000-0002-3977-4279], Osterman, Andreas [0000-0001-5435-5972], Ovsianikov, Aleksandr [0000-0001-5846-0198], Pampaloni, Francesco [0000-0003-4357-7320], Przybyla, Cyrille [0000-0001-8093-8426], Rettberg, Petra [0000-0003-4439-2395], Rizzo, Angela Maria [0000-0002-8582-0432], Robson-Brown, Kate [0000-0003-4797-8965], Rossi, Leonardo [0000-0003-4974-3860], Russo, Giorgio [0000-0003-1493-1087], Salvetti, Alessandra [0000-0002-9154-9773], Santucci, Daniela [0000-0002-4619-1290], Sperl, Matthias [0000-0001-9525-0368], Tavella, Sara [0000-0003-1478-4910], Thielemann, Christiane [0000-0002-9814-4744], Willaert, R. [0000-0002-5400-7019], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Monici, Monica [0000-0001-6678-9241], Davis, Trent, Tabury, Kevin, Zhu, Shouan, Angeloni, Debora, Baatout, Sarah, Benchoua, Alexandra, Bereiter-Hahn, Juergen, Bottai, Daniele, Buchheim, Judith-Irina, Calvaruso, Marco, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Castiglioni, Sara, Cavalieri, Duccio, Ceccarelli, Gabriele, Choukér, Alexander, Cialdai, Francesca, Ciofani, Gianni, Coppola, Giuseppe, Cusella, Gabriella, Degl'Innocenti, Andrea, Desaphy, Jean-Francois, Frippiat, Jean-Pol, Gelinsky, Michael, Genchi, Giada, Grano, Maria, Grimm, Daniela, Guignandon, Alain, Hahn, Christiane, Hatton, Jason, Herranz, Raúl, Hellweg, Christine E., Iorio, Carlo Saverio, Karapantsios, Thodoris, van Loon, Jack JWA, Lulli, Matteo, Maier, Jeanette, Malda, Jos, Mamaca, Emina, Morbidelli, Lucia, Van Ombergen, Angelique, Osterman, Andreas, Ovsianikov, Aleksandr, Pampaloni, Francesco, Pavezlorie, Elizabeth, Pereda-Campos, Veronica, Przybyla, Cyrille, Puhl, Christopher, Rettberg, Petra, Rizzo, Angela Maria, Robson-Brown, Kate, Rossi, Leonardo, Russo, Giorgio, Salvetti, Alessandra, Santucci, Daniela, Sperl, Matthias, Tavella, Sara, Thielemann, Christiane, Willaert, R., Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Monici, Monica, Davis, Trent [0000-0001-5704-0335], Tabury, Kevin [0000-0002-8004-3718], Zhu, Shouan [0000-0002-4973-1504], Angeloni, Debora [0000-0002-3850-5392], Baatout, Sarah [0000-0001-8110-751X], Benchoua, Alexandra [0000-0002-9980-6471], Bottai, Daniele [0000-0002-7951-9512], Buchheim, Judith-Irina [0000-0003-3605-955X], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Cavalieri, Duccio [0000-0001-6426-5719], Choukér, Alexander [0000-0002-0133-4104], Cialdai, Francesca [0000-0002-2290-0566], Ciofani, Gianni [0000-0003-1192-3647], Cusella, Gabriella [0000-0003-2642-3346], Degl'Innocenti, Andrea [0000-0002-5204-5601], Desaphy, Jean-Francois [0000-0001-8816-9369], Frippiat, Jean-Pol [0000-0002-4027-6269], Gelinsky, Michael [0000-0001-9075-5121], Genchi, Giada [0000-0002-2154-7991], Grano, Maria [0000-0002-7121-5899], Grimm, Daniela [0000-0002-4991-3105], Guignandon, Alain [0000-0002-0745-5417], Hatton, Jason [0000-0002-5763-2944], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Hellweg, Christine E. [0000-0002-2223-3580], Iorio, Carlo Saverio [0000-0003-0952-0064], Karapantsios, Thodoris [0000-0001-6641-3359], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Lulli, Matteo [0000-0002-8528-4094], Malda, Jos [0000-0002-9241-7676], Morbidelli, Lucia [0000-0001-8148-7049], Van Ombergen, Angelique [0000-0002-3977-4279], Osterman, Andreas [0000-0001-5435-5972], Ovsianikov, Aleksandr [0000-0001-5846-0198], Pampaloni, Francesco [0000-0003-4357-7320], Przybyla, Cyrille [0000-0001-8093-8426], Rettberg, Petra [0000-0003-4439-2395], Rizzo, Angela Maria [0000-0002-8582-0432], Robson-Brown, Kate [0000-0003-4797-8965], Rossi, Leonardo [0000-0003-4974-3860], Russo, Giorgio [0000-0003-1493-1087], Salvetti, Alessandra [0000-0002-9154-9773], Santucci, Daniela [0000-0002-4619-1290], Sperl, Matthias [0000-0001-9525-0368], Tavella, Sara [0000-0003-1478-4910], Thielemann, Christiane [0000-0002-9814-4744], Willaert, R. [0000-0002-5400-7019], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Monici, Monica [0000-0001-6678-9241], Davis, Trent, Tabury, Kevin, Zhu, Shouan, Angeloni, Debora, Baatout, Sarah, Benchoua, Alexandra, Bereiter-Hahn, Juergen, Bottai, Daniele, Buchheim, Judith-Irina, Calvaruso, Marco, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Castiglioni, Sara, Cavalieri, Duccio, Ceccarelli, Gabriele, Choukér, Alexander, Cialdai, Francesca, Ciofani, Gianni, Coppola, Giuseppe, Cusella, Gabriella, Degl'Innocenti, Andrea, Desaphy, Jean-Francois, Frippiat, Jean-Pol, Gelinsky, Michael, Genchi, Giada, Grano, Maria, Grimm, Daniela, Guignandon, Alain, Hahn, Christiane, Hatton, Jason, Herranz, Raúl, Hellweg, Christine E., Iorio, Carlo Saverio, Karapantsios, Thodoris, van Loon, Jack JWA, Lulli, Matteo, Maier, Jeanette, Malda, Jos, Mamaca, Emina, Morbidelli, Lucia, Van Ombergen, Angelique, Osterman, Andreas, Ovsianikov, Aleksandr, Pampaloni, Francesco, Pavezlorie, Elizabeth, Pereda-Campos, Veronica, Przybyla, Cyrille, Puhl, Christopher, Rettberg, Petra, Rizzo, Angela Maria, Robson-Brown, Kate, Rossi, Leonardo, Russo, Giorgio, Salvetti, Alessandra, Santucci, Daniela, Sperl, Matthias, Tavella, Sara, Thielemann, Christiane, Willaert, R., Szewczyk, Nathaniel, and Monici, Monica
Abstract: Progress in mechanobiology allowed us to better understand the important role of mechanical forces in the regulation of biological processes. Space research in the field of life sciences clearly showed that gravity plays a crucial role in biological processes. The space environment offers the unique opportunity to carry out experiments without gravity, helping us not only to understand the effects of gravitational alterations on biological systems but also the mechanisms underlying mechanoperception and cell/tissue response to mechanical and gravitational stresses. Despite the progress made so far, for future space exploration programs it is necessary to increase our knowledge on the mechanotransduction processes as well as on the molecular mechanisms underlying microgravity-induced cell and tissue alterations. This white paper reports the suggestions and recommendations of the SciSpacE Science Community for the elaboration of the section of the European Space Agency roadmap “Biology in Space and Analogue Environments” focusing on “How are cells and tissues influenced by gravity and what are the gravity perception mechanisms?” The knowledge gaps that prevent the Science Community from fully answering this question and the activities proposed to fill them are discussed.
Published: 2024

2. How to obtain an integrated picture of the molecular networks involved in adaptation to microgravity in different biological systems?

Author: Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (Germany), Angeloni, Debora [0000-0002-3850-5392], Baatout, Sarah [0000-0001-8110-751X], Benchoua, Alexandra [0000-0002-9980-6471], Bottai, Daniele [0000-0002-7951-9512], Buchheim, Judith-Irina [0000-0003-3605-955X], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Castiglioni, Sara [0000-0002-8785-9891], Cavalieri, Duccio [0000-0001-6426-5719], Choukér, Alexander [0000-0002-0133-4104], Cialdai, Francesca [0000-0002-2290-0566], Ciofani, Gianni [0000-0003-1192-3647], Cusella, Gabriella [0000-0003-2642-3346], Degl'Innocenti, Andrea [0000-0002-5204-5601], Desaphy, Jean-Francois [0000-0001-8816-9369], Frippiat, Jean-Pol [0000-0002-4027-6269], Gelinsky, Michael [0000-0001-9075-5121], Genchi, Giada [0000-0002-2154-7991], Grano, Maria [0000-0002-7121-5899], Grimm, Daniela [0000-0002-4991-3105], Guignandon, Alain [0000-0002-0745-5417], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Hellweg, Christine E. [0000-0002-2223-3580], Iorio, Carlo Saverio [0000-0003-0952-0064], Karapantsios, Thodoris [0000-0001-6641-3359], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Lulli, Matteo [0000-0002-8528-4094], Malda, Jos [0000-0002-9241-7676], Morbidelli, Lucia [0000-0001-8148-7049], Osterman, Andreas [0000-0001-5435-5972], Ovsianikov, Aleksandr [0000-0001-5846-0198], Pampaloni, Francesco [0000-0003-4357-7320], Przybyla, Cyrille [0000-0001-8093-8426], Rettberg, Petra [0000-0003-4439-2395], Rizzo, Angela Maria [0000-0002-8582-0432], Robson-Brown, Kate [0000-0003-4797-8965], Rossi, Leonardo [0000-0003-4974-3860], Russo, Giorgio [0000-0003-1493-1087], Salvetti, Alessandra [0000-0002-9154-9773], Risaliti, Chiara [0000-0003-1695-0548], Santucci, Daniela [0000-0002-4619-1290], Sperl, Matthias [0000-0001-9525-0368], Tabury, Kevin [0000-0002-8004-3718], Tavella, Sara [0000-0003-1478-4910], Thielemann, Christiane [0000-0002-9814-4744], Willaert, R. [0000-0002-5400-7019], Monici, Monica [0000-0001-6678-9241], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Willis, Craig R.G., Calvaruso, Marco, Angeloni, Debora, Baatout, Sarah, Benchoua, Alexandra, Bereiter-Hahn, Juergen, Bottai, Daniele, Buchheim, Judith-Irina, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Castiglioni, Sara, Cavalieri, Duccio, Ceccarelli, Gabriele, Choukér, Alexander, Cialdai, Francesca, Ciofani, Gianni, Coppola, Giuseppe, Cusella, Gabriella, Degl'Innocenti, Andrea, Desaphy, Jean-Francois, Frippiat, Jean-Pol, Gelinsky, Michael, Genchi, Giada, Grano, Maria, Grimm, Daniela, Guignandon, Alain, Herranz, Raúl, Hellweg, Christine E., Iorio, Carlo Saverio, Karapantsios, Thodoris, van Loon, Jack JWA, Lulli, Matteo, Maier, Jeanette, Malda, Jos, Mamaca, Emina, Morbidelli, Lucia, Osterman, Andreas, Ovsianikov, Aleksandr, Pampaloni, Francesco, Pavezlorie, Elizabeth, Pereda-Campos, Veronica, Przybyla, Cyrille, Rettberg, Petra, Rizzo, Angela Maria, Robson-Brown, Kate, Rossi, Leonardo, Russo, Giorgio, Salvetti, Alessandra, Risaliti, Chiara, Santucci, Daniela, Sperl, Matthias, Tabury, Kevin, Tavella, Sara, Thielemann, Christiane, Willaert, R., Monici, Monica, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (Germany), Angeloni, Debora [0000-0002-3850-5392], Baatout, Sarah [0000-0001-8110-751X], Benchoua, Alexandra [0000-0002-9980-6471], Bottai, Daniele [0000-0002-7951-9512], Buchheim, Judith-Irina [0000-0003-3605-955X], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Castiglioni, Sara [0000-0002-8785-9891], Cavalieri, Duccio [0000-0001-6426-5719], Choukér, Alexander [0000-0002-0133-4104], Cialdai, Francesca [0000-0002-2290-0566], Ciofani, Gianni [0000-0003-1192-3647], Cusella, Gabriella [0000-0003-2642-3346], Degl'Innocenti, Andrea [0000-0002-5204-5601], Desaphy, Jean-Francois [0000-0001-8816-9369], Frippiat, Jean-Pol [0000-0002-4027-6269], Gelinsky, Michael [0000-0001-9075-5121], Genchi, Giada [0000-0002-2154-7991], Grano, Maria [0000-0002-7121-5899], Grimm, Daniela [0000-0002-4991-3105], Guignandon, Alain [0000-0002-0745-5417], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Hellweg, Christine E. [0000-0002-2223-3580], Iorio, Carlo Saverio [0000-0003-0952-0064], Karapantsios, Thodoris [0000-0001-6641-3359], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Lulli, Matteo [0000-0002-8528-4094], Malda, Jos [0000-0002-9241-7676], Morbidelli, Lucia [0000-0001-8148-7049], Osterman, Andreas [0000-0001-5435-5972], Ovsianikov, Aleksandr [0000-0001-5846-0198], Pampaloni, Francesco [0000-0003-4357-7320], Przybyla, Cyrille [0000-0001-8093-8426], Rettberg, Petra [0000-0003-4439-2395], Rizzo, Angela Maria [0000-0002-8582-0432], Robson-Brown, Kate [0000-0003-4797-8965], Rossi, Leonardo [0000-0003-4974-3860], Russo, Giorgio [0000-0003-1493-1087], Salvetti, Alessandra [0000-0002-9154-9773], Risaliti, Chiara [0000-0003-1695-0548], Santucci, Daniela [0000-0002-4619-1290], Sperl, Matthias [0000-0001-9525-0368], Tabury, Kevin [0000-0002-8004-3718], Tavella, Sara [0000-0003-1478-4910], Thielemann, Christiane [0000-0002-9814-4744], Willaert, R. [0000-0002-5400-7019], Monici, Monica [0000-0001-6678-9241], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Willis, Craig R.G., Calvaruso, Marco, Angeloni, Debora, Baatout, Sarah, Benchoua, Alexandra, Bereiter-Hahn, Juergen, Bottai, Daniele, Buchheim, Judith-Irina, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Castiglioni, Sara, Cavalieri, Duccio, Ceccarelli, Gabriele, Choukér, Alexander, Cialdai, Francesca, Ciofani, Gianni, Coppola, Giuseppe, Cusella, Gabriella, Degl'Innocenti, Andrea, Desaphy, Jean-Francois, Frippiat, Jean-Pol, Gelinsky, Michael, Genchi, Giada, Grano, Maria, Grimm, Daniela, Guignandon, Alain, Herranz, Raúl, Hellweg, Christine E., Iorio, Carlo Saverio, Karapantsios, Thodoris, van Loon, Jack JWA, Lulli, Matteo, Maier, Jeanette, Malda, Jos, Mamaca, Emina, Morbidelli, Lucia, Osterman, Andreas, Ovsianikov, Aleksandr, Pampaloni, Francesco, Pavezlorie, Elizabeth, Pereda-Campos, Veronica, Przybyla, Cyrille, Rettberg, Petra, Rizzo, Angela Maria, Robson-Brown, Kate, Rossi, Leonardo, Russo, Giorgio, Salvetti, Alessandra, Risaliti, Chiara, Santucci, Daniela, Sperl, Matthias, Tabury, Kevin, Tavella, Sara, Thielemann, Christiane, Willaert, R., Monici, Monica, and Szewczyk, Nathaniel
Abstract: Periodically, the European Space Agency (ESA) updates scientific roadmaps in consultation with the scientific community. The ESA SciSpacE Science Community White Paper (SSCWP) 9, “Biology in Space and Analogue Environments”, focusses in 5 main topic areas, aiming to address key community-identified knowledge gaps in Space Biology. Here we present one of the identified topic areas, which is also an unanswered question of life science research in Space: “How to Obtain an Integrated Picture of the Molecular Networks Involved in Adaptation to Microgravity in Different Biological Systems?” The manuscript reports the main gaps of knowledge which have been identified by the community in the above topic area as well as the approach the community indicates to address the gaps not yet bridged. Moreover, the relevance that these research activities might have for the space exploration programs and also for application in industrial and technological fields on Earth is briefly discussed.
Published: 2024

3. Perspectives for plant biology in space and analogue environments

Author: European Space Agency, De Micco, Veronica [0000-0002-4282-9525], Aronne, Giovanna [0000-0002-4800-7901], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Horemans, Nele [0000-0002-6241-0342], Legué, V. [0000-0001-6626-5149], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Pereda-Loth, Veronica [0000-0002-7365-6217], Schiefloe, Mona [0000-0002-6020-4481], De Francesco, Sara [0000-0001-8280-4237], Izzo, Luigi Gennaro [0000-0001-5722-2497], De Micco, Veronica, Aronne, Giovanna, Caplin, Nicol, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Herranz, Raúl, Horemans, Nele, Legué, V., Medina, F. Javier, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Schiefloe, Mona, De Francesco, Sara, Izzo, Luigi Gennaro, Le Disquet, Isabel, Kittang, Ann Iren, European Space Agency, De Micco, Veronica [0000-0002-4282-9525], Aronne, Giovanna [0000-0002-4800-7901], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Horemans, Nele [0000-0002-6241-0342], Legué, V. [0000-0001-6626-5149], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Pereda-Loth, Veronica [0000-0002-7365-6217], Schiefloe, Mona [0000-0002-6020-4481], De Francesco, Sara [0000-0001-8280-4237], Izzo, Luigi Gennaro [0000-0001-5722-2497], De Micco, Veronica, Aronne, Giovanna, Caplin, Nicol, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Herranz, Raúl, Horemans, Nele, Legué, V., Medina, F. Javier, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Schiefloe, Mona, De Francesco, Sara, Izzo, Luigi Gennaro, Le Disquet, Isabel, and Kittang, Ann Iren
Abstract: Advancements in plant space biology are required for the realization of human space exploration missions, where the re-supply of resources from Earth is not feasible. Until a few decades ago, space life science was focused on the impact of the space environment on the human body. More recently, the interest in plant space biology has increased because plants are key organisms in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) for the regeneration of resources and fresh food production. Moreover, plants play an important role in psychological support for astronauts. The definition of cultivation requirements for the design, realization, and successful operation of BLSS must consider the effects of space factors on plants. Altered gravitational fields and radiation exposure are the main space factors inducing changes in gene expression, cell proliferation and differentiation, signalling and physiological processes with possible consequences on tissue organization and organogenesis, thus on the whole plant functioning. Interestingly, the changes at the cellular and molecular levels do not always result in organismic or developmental changes. This apparent paradox is a current research challenge. In this paper, the main findings of gravity- and radiation-related research on higher plants are summarized, highlighting the knowledge gaps that are still necessary to fill. Existing experimental facilities to simulate the effect of space factors, as well as requirements for future facilities for possible experiments to achieve fundamental biology goals are considered. Finally, the need for making synergies among disciplines and for establishing global standard operating procedures for analyses and data collection in space experiments is highlighted.
Published: 2023

4. Enhancing European capabilities for application of multi-omics studies in biology and biomedicine space research

Author: European Space Agency, NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), University of Nottingham, Medical Research Council (UK), Comunidad de Madrid, Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Weging, Silvio [0000-0002-8484-4352], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Cahill, Thomas [0000-0003-3607-6069], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Cope, Henry [0000-0002-4984-0567], Deane, Colleen S. [0000-0002-2281-6479], Etheridge,Timothy [0000-0002-3588-8711], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Hardiman, Gary [0000-0003-4558-0400], Leys, Natalie [0000-0002-4556-5211], Madrigal, Pedro [0000-0003-1959-8199], Mastroleo, Felice [0000-0002-9815-8038], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Mieczkowski, Jakub [0000-0002-2091-012X], Fernández-Rojo, Manuel A. [0000-0002-2240-1951], Siew, Keith [0000-0002-6502-5095], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Walsh, Stephen B. [0000-0002-8693-1353], Da Silveira, William A. [0000-0001-6370-2884], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Manzano, Aranzazu, Weging, Silvio, Bezdan, Daniela, Borg, Joseph, Cahill, Thomas, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Cope, Henry, Deane, Colleen S., Etheridge,Timothy, Giacomello, Stefania, Hardiman, Gary, Leys, Natalie, Madrigal, Pedro, Mastroleo, Felice, Medina, F. Javier, Mieczkowski, Jakub, Fernández-Rojo, Manuel A., Siew, Keith, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Walsh, Stephen B., Da Silveira, William A., Herranz, Raúl, European Space Agency, NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), University of Nottingham, Medical Research Council (UK), Comunidad de Madrid, Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Weging, Silvio [0000-0002-8484-4352], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Cahill, Thomas [0000-0003-3607-6069], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Cope, Henry [0000-0002-4984-0567], Deane, Colleen S. [0000-0002-2281-6479], Etheridge,Timothy [0000-0002-3588-8711], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Hardiman, Gary [0000-0003-4558-0400], Leys, Natalie [0000-0002-4556-5211], Madrigal, Pedro [0000-0003-1959-8199], Mastroleo, Felice [0000-0002-9815-8038], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Mieczkowski, Jakub [0000-0002-2091-012X], Fernández-Rojo, Manuel A. [0000-0002-2240-1951], Siew, Keith [0000-0002-6502-5095], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Walsh, Stephen B. [0000-0002-8693-1353], Da Silveira, William A. [0000-0001-6370-2884], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Manzano, Aranzazu, Weging, Silvio, Bezdan, Daniela, Borg, Joseph, Cahill, Thomas, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Cope, Henry, Deane, Colleen S., Etheridge,Timothy, Giacomello, Stefania, Hardiman, Gary, Leys, Natalie, Madrigal, Pedro, Mastroleo, Felice, Medina, F. Javier, Mieczkowski, Jakub, Fernández-Rojo, Manuel A., Siew, Keith, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Walsh, Stephen B., Da Silveira, William A., and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: Following on from the NASA twins’ study there has been a tremendous interest in the use of omics techniques in spaceflight. The individual space agency’s, NASA’s GeneLab, JAXA´s ibSLS and ESA-funded Space Omics Topical Team and the International Standards for Space Omics Processing (ISSOP) group have established several initiatives to support this growth. Here, we present recommendations from the Space Omics Topical Team to promote standard application of space omics in Europe. We focus on four main themes: i) continued participation in and co-ordination with international omics endeavours; ii) strengthening of the European space omics infrastructure including workforce and facilities; iii) capitalizing on the emerging opportunities in the commercial space sector, and iv) capitalizing on the emerging opportunities in human subjects research.
Published: 2023

5. Meta-analysis of the space flight and microgravity response of the Arabidopsis plant transcriptome

Author: NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Oregon State University, Barker, Richard [0000-0001-5681-9857], Kruse, Colin P. S. [0000-0001-7070-8889], Saravia-Butler, Amanda M. [0000-0001-7505-2743], Fogle, Homer [0000-0002-5579-5432], Chang, Hyun-Seok [0000-0003-1151-5969], Kinscherf, Noah [0000-0001-8807-1089], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Davin, Laurence B. [0000-0002-3248-6485], Lewis, Norman G. [0000-0001-5742-032X], Perera, Imara Y. [0000-0001-9421-1420], Wolverton, Chris [0000-0003-2248-474X], Jaiswal, Pankaj [0000-0002-1005-8383], Reinsch, Sigrid, Wyatt, Sarah E. [0000-0001-7874-0509], Gilroy, Simon [0000-0001-9597-6839], Barker, Richard, Kruse, Colin P. S., Johnson, Christina, Saravia-Butler, Amanda M., Fogle, Homer, Chang, Hyun-Seok, Trane, Ralph Møller, Kinscherf, Noah, Villacampa, Alicia, Manzano, Aranzazu, Herranz, Raúl, Davin, Laurence B., Lewis, Norman G., Perera, Imara Y., Wolverton, Chris, Gupta, Parul, Jaiswal, Pankaj, Wyatt, Sarah E., Gilroy, Simon, NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Oregon State University, Barker, Richard [0000-0001-5681-9857], Kruse, Colin P. S. [0000-0001-7070-8889], Saravia-Butler, Amanda M. [0000-0001-7505-2743], Fogle, Homer [0000-0002-5579-5432], Chang, Hyun-Seok [0000-0003-1151-5969], Kinscherf, Noah [0000-0001-8807-1089], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Davin, Laurence B. [0000-0002-3248-6485], Lewis, Norman G. [0000-0001-5742-032X], Perera, Imara Y. [0000-0001-9421-1420], Wolverton, Chris [0000-0003-2248-474X], Jaiswal, Pankaj [0000-0002-1005-8383], Reinsch, Sigrid, Wyatt, Sarah E. [0000-0001-7874-0509], Gilroy, Simon [0000-0001-9597-6839], Barker, Richard, Kruse, Colin P. S., Johnson, Christina, Saravia-Butler, Amanda M., Fogle, Homer, Chang, Hyun-Seok, Trane, Ralph Møller, Kinscherf, Noah, Villacampa, Alicia, Manzano, Aranzazu, Herranz, Raúl, Davin, Laurence B., Lewis, Norman G., Perera, Imara Y., Wolverton, Chris, Gupta, Parul, Jaiswal, Pankaj, Wyatt, Sarah E., and Gilroy, Simon
Abstract: Spaceflight presents a multifaceted environment for plants, combining the effects on growth of many stressors and factors including altered gravity, the influence of experiment hardware, and increased radiation exposure. To help understand the plant response to this complex suite of factors this study compared transcriptomic analysis of 15 Arabidopsis thaliana spaceflight experiments deposited in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s GeneLab data repository. These data were reanalyzed for genes showing significant differential expression in spaceflight versus ground controls using a single common computational pipeline for either the microarray or the RNA-seq datasets. Such a standardized approach to analysis should greatly increase the robustness of comparisons made between datasets. This analysis was coupled with extensive cross-referencing to a curated matrix of metadata associated with these experiments. Our study reveals that factors such as analysis type (i.e., microarray versus RNA-seq) or environmental and hardware conditions have important confounding effects on comparisons seeking to define plant reactions to spaceflight. The metadata matrix allows selection of studies with high similarity scores, i.e., that share multiple elements of experimental design, such as plant age or flight hardware. Comparisons between these studies then helps reduce the complexity in drawing conclusions arising from comparisons made between experiments with very different designs.
Published: 2023

6. How do gravity alterations affect animal and human systems at a cellular/tissue level?

Author: Cialdai, Francesca [0000-0002-2290-0566], Angeloni, Debora [0000-0002-3850-5392], Baatout, Sarah [0000-0001-8110-751X], Benchoua, Alexandra [0000-0002-9980-6471], Bottai, Daniele [0000-0002-7951-9512], Buchheim, Judith-Irina [0000-0003-3605-955X], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Castiglioni, Sara [0000-0002-8785-9891], Cavalieri, Duccio [0000-0001-6426-5719], Choukér, Alexander [0000-0002-0133-4104], Ciofani, Gianni [0000-0003-1192-3647], Cusella, Gabriella [0000-0003-2642-3346], Degl'Innocenti, Andrea [0000-0002-5204-5601], Desaphy, Jean-Francois [0000-0001-8816-9369], Frippiat, Jean-Pol [0000-0002-4027-6269], Gelinsky, Michael [0000-0001-9075-5121], Genchi, Giada [0000-0002-2154-7991], Grano, Maria [0000-0002-7121-5899], Grimm, Daniela [0000-0002-4991-3105], Guignandon, Alain [0000-0002-0745-5417], Hatton, Jason [0000-0002-5763-2944], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Hellweg, Christine E. [0000-0002-2223-3580], Iorio, Carlo Saverio [0000-0003-0952-0064], Karapantsios, Thodoris [0000-0001-6641-3359], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Lulli, Matteo [0000-0002-8528-4094], Malda, Jos [0000-0002-9241-7676], Morbidelli, Lucia [0000-0001-8148-7049], Van Ombergen, Angelique [0000-0002-3977-4279], Osterman, Andreas [0000-0001-5435-5972], Ovsianikov, Aleksandr [0000-0001-5846-0198], Pampaloni, Francesco [0000-0003-4357-7320], Przybyla, Cyrille [0000-0001-8093-8426], Rettberg, Petra [0000-0003-4439-2395], Risaliti, Chiara [0000-0003-1695-0548], Rizzo, Angela Maria [0000-0002-8582-0432], Robson-Brown, Kate [0000-0003-4797-8965], Rossi, Leonardo [0000-0003-4974-3860], Russo, Giorgio [0000-0003-1493-1087], Salvetti, Alessandra [0000-0002-9154-9773], Santucci, Daniela [0000-0002-4619-1290], Sperl, Matthias [0000-0001-9525-0368], Strollo, Felice [0000-0001-8917-5314], Tabury, Kevin [0000-0002-8004-3718], Tavella, Sara [0000-0003-1478-4910], Thielemann, Christiane [0000-0002-9814-4744], Willaert, R. [0000-0002-5400-7019], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Monici, Monica [0000-0001-6678-9241], Cialdai, Francesca, Brown, Austin M., Baumann, Cory W., Angeloni, Debora, Baatout, Sarah, Benchoua, Alexandra, Bereiter-Hahn, Juergen, Bottai, Daniele, Buchheim, Judith-Irina, Calvaruso, Marco, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Castiglioni, Sara, Cavalieri, Duccio, Ceccarelli, Gabriele, Choukér, Alexander, Ciofani, Gianni, Coppola, Giuseppe, Cusella, Gabriella, Degl'Innocenti, Andrea, Desaphy, Jean-Francois, Frippiat, Jean-Pol, Gelinsky, Michael, Genchi, Giada, Grano, Maria, Grimm, Daniela, Guignandon, Alain, Hahn, Christiane, Hatton, Jason, Herranz, Raúl, Hellweg, Christine E., Iorio, Carlo Saverio, Karapantsios, Thodoris, van Loon, Jack JWA, Lulli, Matteo, Maier, Jeanette, Malda, Jos, Mamaca, Emina, Morbidelli, Lucia, Van Ombergen, Angelique, Osterman, Andreas, Ovsianikov, Aleksandr, Pampaloni, Francesco, Pavezlorie, Elizabeth, Pereda-Campos, Veronica, Przybyla, Cyrille, Puhl, Christopher, Rettberg, Petra, Risaliti, Chiara, Rizzo, Angela Maria, Robson-Brown, Kate, Rossi, Leonardo, Russo, Giorgio, Salvetti, Alessandra, Santucci, Daniela, Sperl, Matthias, Strollo, Felice, Tabury, Kevin, Tavella, Sara, Thielemann, Christiane, Willaert, R., Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Monici, Monica, Cialdai, Francesca [0000-0002-2290-0566], Angeloni, Debora [0000-0002-3850-5392], Baatout, Sarah [0000-0001-8110-751X], Benchoua, Alexandra [0000-0002-9980-6471], Bottai, Daniele [0000-0002-7951-9512], Buchheim, Judith-Irina [0000-0003-3605-955X], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Castiglioni, Sara [0000-0002-8785-9891], Cavalieri, Duccio [0000-0001-6426-5719], Choukér, Alexander [0000-0002-0133-4104], Ciofani, Gianni [0000-0003-1192-3647], Cusella, Gabriella [0000-0003-2642-3346], Degl'Innocenti, Andrea [0000-0002-5204-5601], Desaphy, Jean-Francois [0000-0001-8816-9369], Frippiat, Jean-Pol [0000-0002-4027-6269], Gelinsky, Michael [0000-0001-9075-5121], Genchi, Giada [0000-0002-2154-7991], Grano, Maria [0000-0002-7121-5899], Grimm, Daniela [0000-0002-4991-3105], Guignandon, Alain [0000-0002-0745-5417], Hatton, Jason [0000-0002-5763-2944], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Hellweg, Christine E. [0000-0002-2223-3580], Iorio, Carlo Saverio [0000-0003-0952-0064], Karapantsios, Thodoris [0000-0001-6641-3359], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Lulli, Matteo [0000-0002-8528-4094], Malda, Jos [0000-0002-9241-7676], Morbidelli, Lucia [0000-0001-8148-7049], Van Ombergen, Angelique [0000-0002-3977-4279], Osterman, Andreas [0000-0001-5435-5972], Ovsianikov, Aleksandr [0000-0001-5846-0198], Pampaloni, Francesco [0000-0003-4357-7320], Przybyla, Cyrille [0000-0001-8093-8426], Rettberg, Petra [0000-0003-4439-2395], Risaliti, Chiara [0000-0003-1695-0548], Rizzo, Angela Maria [0000-0002-8582-0432], Robson-Brown, Kate [0000-0003-4797-8965], Rossi, Leonardo [0000-0003-4974-3860], Russo, Giorgio [0000-0003-1493-1087], Salvetti, Alessandra [0000-0002-9154-9773], Santucci, Daniela [0000-0002-4619-1290], Sperl, Matthias [0000-0001-9525-0368], Strollo, Felice [0000-0001-8917-5314], Tabury, Kevin [0000-0002-8004-3718], Tavella, Sara [0000-0003-1478-4910], Thielemann, Christiane [0000-0002-9814-4744], Willaert, R. [0000-0002-5400-7019], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Monici, Monica [0000-0001-6678-9241], Cialdai, Francesca, Brown, Austin M., Baumann, Cory W., Angeloni, Debora, Baatout, Sarah, Benchoua, Alexandra, Bereiter-Hahn, Juergen, Bottai, Daniele, Buchheim, Judith-Irina, Calvaruso, Marco, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Castiglioni, Sara, Cavalieri, Duccio, Ceccarelli, Gabriele, Choukér, Alexander, Ciofani, Gianni, Coppola, Giuseppe, Cusella, Gabriella, Degl'Innocenti, Andrea, Desaphy, Jean-Francois, Frippiat, Jean-Pol, Gelinsky, Michael, Genchi, Giada, Grano, Maria, Grimm, Daniela, Guignandon, Alain, Hahn, Christiane, Hatton, Jason, Herranz, Raúl, Hellweg, Christine E., Iorio, Carlo Saverio, Karapantsios, Thodoris, van Loon, Jack JWA, Lulli, Matteo, Maier, Jeanette, Malda, Jos, Mamaca, Emina, Morbidelli, Lucia, Van Ombergen, Angelique, Osterman, Andreas, Ovsianikov, Aleksandr, Pampaloni, Francesco, Pavezlorie, Elizabeth, Pereda-Campos, Veronica, Przybyla, Cyrille, Puhl, Christopher, Rettberg, Petra, Risaliti, Chiara, Rizzo, Angela Maria, Robson-Brown, Kate, Rossi, Leonardo, Russo, Giorgio, Salvetti, Alessandra, Santucci, Daniela, Sperl, Matthias, Strollo, Felice, Tabury, Kevin, Tavella, Sara, Thielemann, Christiane, Willaert, R., Szewczyk, Nathaniel, and Monici, Monica
Abstract: The present white paper concerns the indications and recommendations of the SciSpacE Science Community to make progress in filling the gaps of knowledge that prevent us from answering the question: “How Do Gravity Alterations Affect Animal and Human Systems at a Cellular/Tissue Level?” This is one of the five major scientific issues of the ESA roadmap “Biology in Space and Analogue Environments”. Despite the many studies conducted so far on spaceflight adaptation mechanisms and related pathophysiological alterations observed in astronauts, we are not yet able to elaborate a synthetic integrated model of the many changes occurring at different system and functional levels. Consequently, it is difficult to develop credible models for predicting long-term consequences of human adaptation to the space environment, as well as to implement medical support plans for long-term missions and a strategy for preventing the possible health risks due to prolonged exposure to spaceflight beyond the low Earth orbit (LEO). The research activities suggested by the scientific community have the aim to overcome these problems by striving to connect biological and physiological aspects in a more holistic view of space adaptation effects.
Published: 2023

7. Challenges and considerations for single-cell and spatially resolved transcriptomics sample collection during spaceflight

Author: European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), University of Nottingham, Swedish Research Council, Overbey, Eliah G. [0000-0002-2866-8294], Das, Saswati [0000-0002-4548-0066], Cope, Henry [0000-0002-4984-0567], Madrigal, Pedro [0000-0003-1959-8199], Andrusivova, Zaneta [0000-0002-4350-2524], Frapard, Solène [0000-0002-2649-7225], Klotz, Rebecca [0000-0001-7093-8086], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Park, Jiwoon [0000-0003-0045-1429], Chirko, Dawn [0000-0002-8879-3652], Galazka, Jonathan M. [0000-0002-4153-0249], Costes, Sylvain V. [0000-0002-8542-2389], Mason, Christopher E. [0000-0002-1850-1642], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Borg, Joseph [0000-0002-0270-3098], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Overbey, Eliah G., Das, Saswati, Cope, Henry, Madrigal, Pedro, Andrusivova, Zaneta, Frapard, Solène, Klotz, Rebecca, Bezdan, Daniela, Gupta, Anjali, Scott, Ryan T., Park, Jiwoon, Chirko, Dawn, Galazka, Jonathan M., Costes, Sylvain V., Mason, Christopher E., Herranz, Raúl, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Borg, Joseph, Giacomello, Stefania, European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), University of Nottingham, Swedish Research Council, Overbey, Eliah G. [0000-0002-2866-8294], Das, Saswati [0000-0002-4548-0066], Cope, Henry [0000-0002-4984-0567], Madrigal, Pedro [0000-0003-1959-8199], Andrusivova, Zaneta [0000-0002-4350-2524], Frapard, Solène [0000-0002-2649-7225], Klotz, Rebecca [0000-0001-7093-8086], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Park, Jiwoon [0000-0003-0045-1429], Chirko, Dawn [0000-0002-8879-3652], Galazka, Jonathan M. [0000-0002-4153-0249], Costes, Sylvain V. [0000-0002-8542-2389], Mason, Christopher E. [0000-0002-1850-1642], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Borg, Joseph [0000-0002-0270-3098], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Overbey, Eliah G., Das, Saswati, Cope, Henry, Madrigal, Pedro, Andrusivova, Zaneta, Frapard, Solène, Klotz, Rebecca, Bezdan, Daniela, Gupta, Anjali, Scott, Ryan T., Park, Jiwoon, Chirko, Dawn, Galazka, Jonathan M., Costes, Sylvain V., Mason, Christopher E., Herranz, Raúl, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Borg, Joseph, and Giacomello, Stefania
Abstract: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) have experienced rapid development in recent years. The findings of spaceflight-based scRNA-seq and SRT investigations are likely to improve our understanding of life in space and our comprehension of gene expression in various cell systems and tissue dynamics. However, compared to their Earth-based counterparts, gene expression experiments conducted in spaceflight have not experienced the same pace of development. Out of the hundreds of spaceflight gene expression datasets available, only a few used scRNA-seq and SRT. In this perspective piece, we explore the growing importance of scRNA-seq and SRT in space biology and discuss the challenges and considerations relevant to robust experimental design to enable growth of these methods in the field.
Published: 2022

8. Building the Space Omics Topical Team to boost European space researchers’ role in the international consortia redefining spaceflight-generated datasets

Author: Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Da Silveira, William A. [0000-0001-6370-2884], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Herranz, Raúl, Da Silveira, William A., Bezdan, Daniela, Giacomello, Stefania, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Da Silveira, William A. [0000-0001-6370-2884], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Herranz, Raúl, Da Silveira, William A., Bezdan, Daniela, Giacomello, Stefania, and Szewczyk, Nathaniel
Abstract: In a broadening and more competitive space exploration landscape, playing at scale is necessary to obtain results. European researchers share their lessons learned on growing a research program where omics techniques can feed new knowledge, both fundamental and practical, for space exploration. Sending people to new space destinations will require interdisciplinary research centered around omics and personalized medicine, with added constraints of low-gravity and high-radiation environments.
Published: 2022

9. Recent transcriptomic studies to elucidate the plant adaptive response to spaceflight and to simulated space environments

Author: European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (France), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803][, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Manzano, Aranzazu, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (France), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803][, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Manzano, Aranzazu, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Herranz, Raúl, and Medina, F. Javier
Abstract: Discovering the adaptation mechanisms of plants to the space environment is essential for supporting human space exploration. Transcriptomic analyses allow the identification of adaptation response pathways by detecting changes in gene expression at the global genome level caused by the main factors of the space environment, namely altered gravity and cosmic radiation. This article reviews transcriptomic studies carried out from plants grown in spaceflights and in different ground-based microgravity simulators. Despite differences in plant growth conditions, these studies have shown that cell wall remodeling, oxidative stress, defense response, and photosynthesis are common altered processes in plants grown under spaceflight conditions. European scientists have significantly contributed to the acquisition of this knowledge, e.g., by showing the role of red light in the adaptation response of plants (EMCS experiments) and the mechanisms of cellular response and adaptation mostly affecting cell cycle regulation, using cell cultures in microgravity simulators.
Published: 2022

10. Routine omics collection is a golden opportunity for European human research in space and analog environments

Author: European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), University of Nottingham, Swedish Research Council, Cope, Henry [0000-0002-4984-0567], Rutter, Lindsay [0000-0003-2123-3949], Toh, Li Shean [0000-0002-9228-6266], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Muratani, Masafumi [0000-0002-0276-8000], Mason, Christopher E. [0000-0002-1850-1642], Etheridge,Timothy [0000-0002-3588-8711], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Cope, Henry, Willis, Craig R.G., MacKay, Matthew J., Rutter, Lindsay, Toh, Li Shean, Williams, Philip M., Herranz, Raúl, Borg, Joseph, Bezdan, Daniela, Giacomello, Stefania, Muratani, Masafumi, Mason, Christopher E., Etheridge,Timothy, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), University of Nottingham, Swedish Research Council, Cope, Henry [0000-0002-4984-0567], Rutter, Lindsay [0000-0003-2123-3949], Toh, Li Shean [0000-0002-9228-6266], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Muratani, Masafumi [0000-0002-0276-8000], Mason, Christopher E. [0000-0002-1850-1642], Etheridge,Timothy [0000-0002-3588-8711], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Cope, Henry, Willis, Craig R.G., MacKay, Matthew J., Rutter, Lindsay, Toh, Li Shean, Williams, Philip M., Herranz, Raúl, Borg, Joseph, Bezdan, Daniela, Giacomello, Stefania, Muratani, Masafumi, Mason, Christopher E., Etheridge,Timothy, and Szewczyk, Nathaniel
Abstract: Widespread generation and analysis of omics data have revolutionized molecular medicine on Earth, yet its power to yield new mechanistic insights and improve occupational health during spaceflight is still to be fully realized in humans. Nevertheless, rapid technological advancements and ever-regular spaceflight programs mean that longitudinal, standardized, and cost-effective collection of human space omics data are firmly within reach. Here, we consider the practicality and scientific return of different sampling methods and omic types in the context of human spaceflight. We also appraise ethical and legal considerations pertinent to omics data derived from European astronauts and spaceflight participants (SFPs). Ultimately, we propose that a routine omics collection program in spaceflight and analog environments presents a golden opportunity. Unlocking this bright future of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analyses and personalized medicine approaches will require further investigation into best practices, including policy design and standardization of omics data, metadata, and sampling methods.
Published: 2022

11. Limits of life at spaceflight conditions: survival of lichens to simulated microgravity

Author: De la Torre Noetzel, Rosa [0000-0003-2394-0268], Bassy, Olga [0000-0002-0554-8601], Ortega García, M. V. [0000-0002-6948-9591], Sancho, Leopoldo G. [0000-0002-4751-7475], De Vera, Jean-Pierre [0000-0002-9530-5821], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], De la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Bassy, Olga, Ortega García, M. V., Sancho, Leopoldo G., Villasante, Adela, Del Olmo, Javier, De Vera, Jean-Pierre, Herranz, Raúl, De la Torre Noetzel, Rosa [0000-0003-2394-0268], Bassy, Olga [0000-0002-0554-8601], Ortega García, M. V. [0000-0002-6948-9591], Sancho, Leopoldo G. [0000-0002-4751-7475], De Vera, Jean-Pierre [0000-0002-9530-5821], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], De la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Bassy, Olga, Ortega García, M. V., Sancho, Leopoldo G., Villasante, Adela, Del Olmo, Javier, De Vera, Jean-Pierre, and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: The search for extraterrestrial life and finding habitable environments on other planets and satellites like Mars, Europa, Enceladus and Titan are a priority of NASA and ESA, since the last decade. To contribute to these highly significant challenges, research has been done with established exposure platforms like those on the Foton satellite and EXPOSE on the ISS expanding now to ESA’s platform Bartolomeo. These were used to expose samples to space vacuum and space radiation, but also to provide gas supply and selected planetary radiation environments. Results obtained by these experiments have allowed to get supplemental knowledge necessary for supporting future investigations to search for life in the universe. Several extremophile lichen species, have been exposed to extraterrestrial environments, i.e. space- and Mars like parameters, during short and long periods on board of ESA’s space missions (Foton M2 and M3, EXPOSE E and R2) to investigate the limits of terrestrial life. To maximize the scientific outcome of these experiments, LICHENS [1], LITHOPANSPERMIA [2], LIFE [3], and BIOMEX [4], a common elaboration and analysis of the results obtained on analogue field studies with results obtained in planetary simulation facilities was necessary to check the survival potential and vitality of the samples before flight. Tests and experiments at different simulation facilities at DLR, and at INTA, included the exposure to space vacuum, space UV radiation and space cosmic radiation, and to Mars-like environment, i.e. Mars atmospheric composition and pressure, as well as Mars UV radiation. Not microgravity or reduced gravity, which is present in space and on Mars, was tried. Here we show the results of the resistance of two extremophile vagrant lichen species, Xanthoparmelia hueana and Circinaria gyrosa, to simulated microgravity (rotation speed of clinostate: 1 rpm) using the UNZIP clinostate at CIB-CSIC (Centro Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas). This is th
Published: 2022

12. Space omics research in Europe: contributions, geographical distribution and ESA member state funding schemes

Author: European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Medical Research Council (UK), Comunidad de Madrid, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Swedish Research Council, Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (France), Wellcome Trust, Deane, Colleen S. [0000-0002-2281-6479], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Etheridge,Timothy [0000-0002-3588-8711], Hardiman, Gary [0000-0003-4558-0400], Leys, Natalie [0000-0002-4556-5211], Madrigal, Pedro [0000-0003-1959-8199], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Mastroleo, Felice [0000-0002-9815-8038], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Fernández-Rojo, Manuel A. [0000-0002-2240-1951], Siew, Keith [0000-0002-6502-5095], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Walsh, Stephen B. [0000-0002-8693-1353], Weging, Silvio [0000-0002-8484-4352], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Da Silveira, William A. [0000-0001-6370-2884], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Deane, Colleen S., Borg, Joseph, Cahill, Thomas, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Etheridge,Timothy, Hardiman, Gary, Leys, Natalie, Madrigal, Pedro, Manzano, Aranzazu, Mastroleo, Felice, Medina, F. Javier, Fernández-Rojo, Manuel A., Siew, Keith, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Villacampa, Alicia, Walsh, Stephen B., Weging, Silvio, Bezdan, Daniela, Giacomello, Stefania, Da Silveira, William A., Herranz, Raúl, European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Medical Research Council (UK), Comunidad de Madrid, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Swedish Research Council, Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (France), Wellcome Trust, Deane, Colleen S. [0000-0002-2281-6479], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Etheridge,Timothy [0000-0002-3588-8711], Hardiman, Gary [0000-0003-4558-0400], Leys, Natalie [0000-0002-4556-5211], Madrigal, Pedro [0000-0003-1959-8199], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Mastroleo, Felice [0000-0002-9815-8038], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Fernández-Rojo, Manuel A. [0000-0002-2240-1951], Siew, Keith [0000-0002-6502-5095], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Walsh, Stephen B. [0000-0002-8693-1353], Weging, Silvio [0000-0002-8484-4352], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Da Silveira, William A. [0000-0001-6370-2884], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Deane, Colleen S., Borg, Joseph, Cahill, Thomas, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Etheridge,Timothy, Hardiman, Gary, Leys, Natalie, Madrigal, Pedro, Manzano, Aranzazu, Mastroleo, Felice, Medina, F. Javier, Fernández-Rojo, Manuel A., Siew, Keith, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Villacampa, Alicia, Walsh, Stephen B., Weging, Silvio, Bezdan, Daniela, Giacomello, Stefania, Da Silveira, William A., and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: The European research community, via European Space Agency (ESA) spaceflight opportunities, has significantly contributed towards our current understanding of spaceflight biology. Recent molecular biology experiments include “omic” analysis, which provides a holistic and systems level understanding of the mechanisms underlying phenotypic adaptation. Despite vast interest in, and the immense quantity of biological information gained from space omics research, the knowledge of ESA-related space omics works as a collective remains poorly defined due to the recent exponential application of omics approaches in space and the limited search capabilities of pre-existing records. Thus, a review of such contributions is necessary to clarify and promote the development of space omics among ESA and ESA state members. To address this gap, in this review we: i) identified and summarised omics works led by European researchers, ii) geographically described these omics works, and iii) highlighted potential caveats in complex funding scenarios among ESA member states.
Published: 2022

13. Spaceflight studies identify a gene encoding an intermediate filament involved in tropism pathways

Author: NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Shymanovich, Tatsiana [0000-0001-5272-7381], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], Shymanovich, Tatsiana, Vandenbrink, Joshua P., Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, Kiss, John Z., NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Shymanovich, Tatsiana [0000-0001-5272-7381], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], Shymanovich, Tatsiana, Vandenbrink, Joshua P., Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, and Kiss, John Z.
Abstract: We performed a series of experiments to study the interaction between phototropism and gravitropism in Arabidopsis thaliana as part of the Seedling Growth Project on the International Space Station. Red-light-based and blue-light-based phototropism were examined in microgravity and at 1g, a control that was produced by an on-board centrifuge. At the end of the experiments, seedlings were frozen and brought back to Earth for gene profiling studies via RNASeq methods. In this paper, we focus on five genes identified in these space studies by their differential expression in space: one involved in auxin transport and four others encoding genes for: a methyltransferase subunit, a transmembrane protein, a transcription factor for endodermis formation, and a cytoskeletal element (an intermediate filament protein). Time course studies using mutant strains of these five genes were performed for blue-light and red-light phototropism studies as well as for gravitropism assays on ground. Interestingly, all five of the genes had some effects on all the tropisms under the conditions studied. In addition, RT-PCR analyses examined expression of the five genes in wild-type seedlings during blue-light-based phototropism. Previous studies have supported a role of both microfilaments and microtubules in tropism pathways. However, the most interesting finding of the present space studies is that NFL, a gene encoding an intermediate filament protein, plays a role in phototropism and gravitropism, which opens the possibility that this cytoskeletal element modulates signal transduction in plants.
Published: 2022

14. Interaction of gravitropism and phototropism in roots of Brassica oleracea

Author: European Space Agency, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Izzo, Luigi Gennaro [0000-0001-5722-2497], Romano, Leone Ermes [0000-0002-2858-7814], Iovane, Maurizio [0000-0002-7084-3885], Capozzi, Fiore [0000-0002-9076-7701], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Aronne, Giovanna [0000-0002-4800-7901], Izzo, Luigi Gennaro, Romano, Leone Ermes, Muthert, Lucius Wilhelminus Franciscus, Iovane, Maurizio, Capozzi, Fiore, Manzano, Aranzazu, Ciska, Malgorzata, Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, Kiss, John Z., van Loon, Jack JWA, Aronne, Giovanna, European Space Agency, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Izzo, Luigi Gennaro [0000-0001-5722-2497], Romano, Leone Ermes [0000-0002-2858-7814], Iovane, Maurizio [0000-0002-7084-3885], Capozzi, Fiore [0000-0002-9076-7701], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Aronne, Giovanna [0000-0002-4800-7901], Izzo, Luigi Gennaro, Romano, Leone Ermes, Muthert, Lucius Wilhelminus Franciscus, Iovane, Maurizio, Capozzi, Fiore, Manzano, Aranzazu, Ciska, Malgorzata, Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, Kiss, John Z., van Loon, Jack JWA, and Aronne, Giovanna
Abstract: Gravitropism and phototropism play a primary role in orienting root growth. Tropistic responses of roots mediated by gravity and light have been extensively investigated, and a complex mutual interaction occurs between these two tropisms. To date, most studies have been conducted in 1 g, microgravity, or simulated microgravity, whereas no studies investigated root phototropism in hypergravity. Therefore, we studied the effects of several gravity treatments with those of different light wavelengths on root growth orientation. Here, we report growth and curvature of Brassica oleracea roots under different g levels, from simulated microgravity up to 20 g, and unilateral illumination with different spectral treatments provided by light emitting diodes. Microgravity was simulated with a random positioning machine whereas hypergravity conditions were obtained using the Large Diameter Centrifuge at the laboratories of the European Space Agency in the Netherlands. Four light treatments (white light, blue light, red light, and dark) were used in this study. Overall, roots of seedlings grown in the dark were longer than those developed under unilateral light treatments, regardless of the gravity level. Unilateral blue light or white light stimulated a negative phototropism of roots under all g levels, and root curvature was not affected by either hypergravity or simulated microgravity compared to 1 g. Results also confirmed previous findings on the effect of light intensity on root curvature and highlighted the relevance of blue-light photon flux density in root phototropism. Roots illuminated with red light showed a weak curvature in simulated microgravity but not in hypergravity. Moreover, root curvature under red light was similar to dark-grown roots in all g levels, suggesting a possible involvement of surface-dependent phenomena in root skewing under either red light or dark conditions. Further studies can confirm phototropic responses of B. oleracea in the weightless en
Published: 2022

15. A novel device to study altered gravity and light interactions in seedling tropisms

Author: European Space Agency, Aronne, Giovanna [0000-0002-4800-7901], Izzo, Luigi Gennaro [0000-0001-5722-2497], Romano, Leone Ermes [0000-0002-2858-7814], Iovane, Maurizio [0000-0002-7084-3885], Capozzi, Fiore [0000-0002-9076-7701], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Aronne, Giovanna, Muthert, Lucius Wilhelminus Franciscus, Izzo, Luigi Gennaro, Romano, Leone Ermes, Iovane, Maurizio, Capozzi, Fiore, Manzano, Aranzazu, Ciska, Malgorzata, Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, Kiss, John Z., van Loon, Jack JWA, European Space Agency, Aronne, Giovanna [0000-0002-4800-7901], Izzo, Luigi Gennaro [0000-0001-5722-2497], Romano, Leone Ermes [0000-0002-2858-7814], Iovane, Maurizio [0000-0002-7084-3885], Capozzi, Fiore [0000-0002-9076-7701], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Aronne, Giovanna, Muthert, Lucius Wilhelminus Franciscus, Izzo, Luigi Gennaro, Romano, Leone Ermes, Iovane, Maurizio, Capozzi, Fiore, Manzano, Aranzazu, Ciska, Malgorzata, Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, Kiss, John Z., and van Loon, Jack JWA
Abstract: Long-duration space missions will need to rely on the use of plants in bio-regenerative life support systems (BLSSs) because these systems can produce fresh food and oxygen, reduce carbon dioxide levels, recycle metabolic waste, and purify water. In this scenario, the need for new experiments on the effects of altered gravity conditions on plant biological processes is increasing, and significant efforts should be devoted to new ideas aimed at increasing the scientific output and lowering the experimental costs. Here, we report the design of an easy-to-produce and inexpensive device conceived to analyze the effect of interaction between gravity and light on root tropisms. Each unit consisted of a polystyrene multi-slot rack with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), capable of holding Petri dishes and assembled with a particular filter-paper folding. The device was successfully used for the ROOTROPS (for root tropisms) experiment performed in the Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC) and Random Positioning Machine (RPM) at ESA's European Space Research and Technology centre (ESTEC). During the experiments, four light treatments and six gravity conditions were factorially combined to study their effects on root orientation of Brassica oleracea seedlings. Light treatments (red, blue, and white) and a dark condition were tested under four hypergravity levels (20 g, 15 g, 10 g, 5 g), a 1 g control, and a simulated microgravity (RPM) condition. Results of validation tests showed that after 24 h, the assembled system remained unaltered, no slipping or displacement of seedlings occurred at any hypergravity treatment or on the RPM, and seedlings exhibited robust growth. Overall, the device was effective and reliable in achieving scientific goals, suggesting that it can be used for ground-based research on phototropism-gravitropism interactions. Moreover, the concepts developed can be further expanded for use in future spaceflight experiments with plants.
Published: 2022

16. Analysis of graviresponse and biological effects of vertical and horizontal clinorotation in Arabidopsis thaliana root tip

Author: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Sora, Ludovico [0000-0002-6520-6443], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Villacampa, Alicia, Sora, Ludovico, Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, Ciska, Malgorzata, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Sora, Ludovico [0000-0002-6520-6443], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Villacampa, Alicia, Sora, Ludovico, Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, and Ciska, Malgorzata
Abstract: Clinorotation was the first method designed to simulate microgravity on ground and it remains the most common and accessible simulation procedure. However, different experimental settings, namely angular velocity, sample orientation, and distance to the rotation center produce different responses in seedlings. Here, we compare A. thaliana root responses to the two most commonly used velocities, as examples of slow and fast clinorotation, and to vertical and horizontal clinorotation. We investigate their impact on the three stages of gravitropism: statolith sedimentation, asymmetrical auxin distribution, and differential elongation. We also investigate the statocyte ultrastructure by electron microscopy. Horizontal slow clinorotation induces changes in the statocyte ultrastructure related to a stress response and internalization of the PIN-FORMED 2 (PIN2) auxin transporter in the lower endodermis, probably due to enhanced mechano-stimulation. Additionally, fast clinorotation, as predicted, is only suitable within a very limited radius from the clinorotation center and triggers directional root growth according to the direction of the centrifugal force. Our study provides a full morphological picture of the stages of graviresponse in the root tip, and it is a valuable contribution to the field of microgravity simulation by clarifying the limitations of 2D-clinostats and proposing a proper use.
Published: 2021

17. Plants in Space: novel physiological challenges and adaptation mechanisms

Author: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier, Manzano, Aranzazu, Kamal, Khaled Y., Ciska, Malgorzata, Herranz, Raúl, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier, Manzano, Aranzazu, Kamal, Khaled Y., Ciska, Malgorzata, and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: Any space exploration initiative, such as the human presence in the Moon and Mars, must incorporate plants for life support. To enable space plant culture we need to understand how plants respond to extraterrestrial conditions, adapt to them, and compensate their deleterious effects at multiple levels. Gravity is a major difference between the terrestrial and the extraterrestrial environment. Gravitropism is the process of establishing a growth direction for plant organs according to the gravity vector. Gravity signals are sensed at specialized tissues by the motion of amyloplasts called statoliths and transduced to produce a cellular polarization capable of influencing the transport of auxin. Gravity alterations eventually result in changes in the lateral balance of auxin in the root, producing deviations of the growth direction. Under microgravity, auxin changes affect the root meristem causing increased cell proliferation and decreased cell growth. The nucleolus, the nuclear site of production of ribosomes, is a marker of this unbalance, which could alter plant development. At the molecular level, microgravity induces a reprogramming of gene expression that mostly affects plant defense systems against abiotic stresses, indicating that these categories of genes are involved in the adaptation to extraterrestrial habitats. Nevertheless, no specific genes for plant response to gravitational stress have been identified. Despite this stress, plants survive, developing until the adult stage and reproducing under microgravity conditions. A major research challenge is to identify environmental factors, such as light, which could interact, modulate, or balance the impact of gravity, contributing to the tolerance and survival of plants under spaceflight conditions. Understanding the crosstalk between light and gravity sensing will contribute to the success of the next generation agriculture in human settlements outside the Earth.
Published: 2021

18. NASA GeneLab RNA-seq consensus pipeline: standardized processing of short-read RNA-seq data

Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UK), Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research (UK), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (UK), Overbey, Eliah G. [0000-0002-2866-8294], Fogle, Homer [0000-0002-5579-5432], Beheshti, Afshin [0000-0003-4643-531X], Berrios, Daniel C. [0000-0003-4312-9552], Cekanaviciute, Egle [0000-0003-3306-1806], Davin, Laurence B. [0000-0002-3248-6485], Gebre, Samrawit [0000-0002-8963-4856], Geniza, Matthew [0000-0003-4828-7891], Gilroy, Simon [0000-0001-9597-6839], Hardiman, Gary [0000-0003-4558-0400], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Kruse, Colin P. S. [0000-0001-7070-8889], Mishra, Tejaswini [0000-0001-9931-1260], Perera, Imara Y. [0000-0001-9421-1420], Ray, Shayoni [0000-0003-1911-7738], Reinsch, Sigrid [0000-0002-6484-7521], Rosenthal, Sara Brin [0000-0002-6548-9658], Strong, Michael [0000-0002-3247-6260], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Tahimic, Candice G. T. [0000-0001-5862-2652], Taylor, Deanne M. [0000-0002-3302-4610], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Weging, Silvio [0000-0002-8484-4352], Wolverton, Chris [0000-0003-2248-474X], Wyatt, Sarah E. [0000-0001-7874-0509], Costes, Sylvain V. [0000-0002-8542-2389], Galazka, Jonathan M. [0000-0002-4153-0249], Overbey, Eliah G., Saravia-Butler, Amanda M., Zhang, Zhe, Rathi, Komal S., Fogle, Homer, da Silveira, William A., Barker, Richard, Bass, Joseph J., Beheshti, Afshin, Berrios, Daniel C., Blaber, Elizabeth A., Cekanaviciute, Egle, Costa, Helio A., Davin, Laurence B., Fisch, Kathleen M., Gebre, Samrawit, Geniza, Matthew, Gilbert, Rachel, Gilroy, Simon, Hardiman, Gary, Herranz, Raúl, Kidane, Yared H., Kruse, Colin P. S., Lee, Michael D., Liefeld, Ted, Lewis, Norman G., McDonald, J. Tyson, Meller, Robert, Mishra, Tejaswini, Perera, Imara Y., Ray, Shayoni, Reinsch, Sigrid, Rosenthal, Sara Brin, Strong, MichaelSzewczyk, Nathaniel, Tahimic, Candice G. T., Taylor, Deanne M., Vandenbrink, Joshua P., Villacampa, Alicia, Weging, Silvio, Wolverton, Chris, Wyatt, Sarah E., Zea, Luis, Costes, Sylvain V., Galazka, Jonathan M., National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UK), Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research (UK), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (UK), Overbey, Eliah G. [0000-0002-2866-8294], Fogle, Homer [0000-0002-5579-5432], Beheshti, Afshin [0000-0003-4643-531X], Berrios, Daniel C. [0000-0003-4312-9552], Cekanaviciute, Egle [0000-0003-3306-1806], Davin, Laurence B. [0000-0002-3248-6485], Gebre, Samrawit [0000-0002-8963-4856], Geniza, Matthew [0000-0003-4828-7891], Gilroy, Simon [0000-0001-9597-6839], Hardiman, Gary [0000-0003-4558-0400], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Kruse, Colin P. S. [0000-0001-7070-8889], Mishra, Tejaswini [0000-0001-9931-1260], Perera, Imara Y. [0000-0001-9421-1420], Ray, Shayoni [0000-0003-1911-7738], Reinsch, Sigrid [0000-0002-6484-7521], Rosenthal, Sara Brin [0000-0002-6548-9658], Strong, Michael [0000-0002-3247-6260], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Tahimic, Candice G. T. [0000-0001-5862-2652], Taylor, Deanne M. [0000-0002-3302-4610], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Weging, Silvio [0000-0002-8484-4352], Wolverton, Chris [0000-0003-2248-474X], Wyatt, Sarah E. [0000-0001-7874-0509], Costes, Sylvain V. [0000-0002-8542-2389], Galazka, Jonathan M. [0000-0002-4153-0249], Overbey, Eliah G., Saravia-Butler, Amanda M., Zhang, Zhe, Rathi, Komal S., Fogle, Homer, da Silveira, William A., Barker, Richard, Bass, Joseph J., Beheshti, Afshin, Berrios, Daniel C., Blaber, Elizabeth A., Cekanaviciute, Egle, Costa, Helio A., Davin, Laurence B., Fisch, Kathleen M., Gebre, Samrawit, Geniza, Matthew, Gilbert, Rachel, Gilroy, Simon, Hardiman, Gary, Herranz, Raúl, Kidane, Yared H., Kruse, Colin P. S., Lee, Michael D., Liefeld, Ted, Lewis, Norman G., McDonald, J. Tyson, Meller, Robert, Mishra, Tejaswini, Perera, Imara Y., Ray, Shayoni, Reinsch, Sigrid, Rosenthal, Sara Brin, Strong, MichaelSzewczyk, Nathaniel, Tahimic, Candice G. T., Taylor, Deanne M., Vandenbrink, Joshua P., Villacampa, Alicia, Weging, Silvio, Wolverton, Chris, Wyatt, Sarah E., Zea, Luis, Costes, Sylvain V., and Galazka, Jonathan M.
Abstract: With the development of transcriptomic technologies, we are able to quantify precise changes in gene expression profiles from astronauts and other organisms exposed to spaceflight. Members of NASA GeneLab and GeneLab-associated analysis working groups (AWGs) have developed a consensus pipeline for analyzing short-read RNA-sequencing data from spaceflight-associated experiments. The pipeline includes quality control, read trimming, mapping, and gene quantification steps, culminating in the detection of differentially expressed genes. This data analysis pipeline and the results of its execution using data submitted to GeneLab are now all publicly available through the GeneLab database. We present here the full details and rationale for the construction of this pipeline in order to promote transparency, reproducibility, and reusability of pipeline data; to provide a template for data processing of future spaceflight-relevant datasets; and to encourage cross-analysis of data from other databases with the data available in GeneLab.
Published: 2021

19. Understanding reduced gravity effects on early plant development before attempting life-support farming in the Moon and Mars

Author: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), European Commission, Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier, Manzano, Aranzazu, Villacampa, Alicia, Ciska, Malgorzata, Herranz, Raúl, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), European Commission, Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier, Manzano, Aranzazu, Villacampa, Alicia, Ciska, Malgorzata, and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: Plants are a necessary component of any system of bioregenerative life-support for human space exploration. For this purpose, plants must be capable of surviving and adapting to gravity levels different from the Earth gravity, namely microgravity, as it exists on board of spacecrafts orbiting the Earth, and partial-g, as it exists on the surface of the Moon or Mars. Gravity is a fundamental environmental factor for driving plant growth and development through gravitropism. Exposure to real or simulated microgravity produces a stress response in plants, which show cellular alterations and gene expression reprogramming. Partial-g studies have been performed in the ISS using centrifuges and in ground based facilities, by implementing adaptations in them. Seedlings and cell cultures were used in these studies. The Mars gravity level is capable of stimulating the gravitropic response of the roots and preserving the auxin polar transport. Furthermore, whereas Moon gravity produces alterations comparable, or even stronger than microgravity, the intensity of the alterations found at Mars gravity was milder. An adaptive response has been found in these experiments, showing upregulation of WRKY transcription factors involved in acclimation. This knowledge must be improved by incorporating plants to the coming projects of Moon exploration.
Published: 2021

20. Mammalian and invertebrate models as complementary tools for gaining mechanistic insight on muscle responses to spaceflight

Author: University of Nottingham, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), Cope, Henry [0000-0002-4984-0567], Bass, Joseph J. [0000-0002-8236-681X], Overbey, Eliah G. [0000-0002-2866-8294], Gilbert, Rachel [0000-0002-1380-8012], Da Silveira, William A. [0000-0001-6370-2884], Paul, Amber M. [0000-0002-1657-3618], Mishra, Tejaswini [0000-0001-9931-1260], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Reinsch, Sigrid [0000-0002-6484-7521], Costes, Sylvain V. [0000-0002-8542-2389], Hardiman, Gary [0000-0003-4558-0400], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Tahimic, Candice G. T. [0000-0001-5862-2652], Cahill, Thomas, Cope, Henry, Bass, Joseph J., Overbey, Eliah G., Gilbert, Rachel, Da Silveira, William A., Paul, Amber M., Mishra, Tejaswini, Herranz, Raúl, Reinsch, Sigrid, Costes, Sylvain V., Hardiman, Gary, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Tahimic, Candice G. T., University of Nottingham, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), Cope, Henry [0000-0002-4984-0567], Bass, Joseph J. [0000-0002-8236-681X], Overbey, Eliah G. [0000-0002-2866-8294], Gilbert, Rachel [0000-0002-1380-8012], Da Silveira, William A. [0000-0001-6370-2884], Paul, Amber M. [0000-0002-1657-3618], Mishra, Tejaswini [0000-0001-9931-1260], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Reinsch, Sigrid [0000-0002-6484-7521], Costes, Sylvain V. [0000-0002-8542-2389], Hardiman, Gary [0000-0003-4558-0400], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Tahimic, Candice G. T. [0000-0001-5862-2652], Cahill, Thomas, Cope, Henry, Bass, Joseph J., Overbey, Eliah G., Gilbert, Rachel, Da Silveira, William A., Paul, Amber M., Mishra, Tejaswini, Herranz, Raúl, Reinsch, Sigrid, Costes, Sylvain V., Hardiman, Gary, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, and Tahimic, Candice G. T.
Abstract: Bioinformatics approaches have proven useful in understanding biological responses to spaceflight. Spaceflight experiments remain resource intensive and rare. One outstanding issue is how to maximize scientific output from a limited number of omics datasets from traditional animal models including nematodes, fruitfly, and rodents. The utility of omics data from invertebrate models in anticipating mammalian responses to spaceflight has not been fully explored. Hence, we performed comparative analyses of transcriptomes of soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) in mice that underwent 37 days of spaceflight. Results indicate shared stress responses and altered circadian rhythm. EDL showed more robust growth signals and Pde2a downregulation, possibly underlying its resistance to atrophy versus soleus. Spaceflight and hindlimb unloading mice shared differential regulation of proliferation, circadian, and neuronal signaling. Shared gene regulation in muscles of humans on bedrest and space flown rodents suggest targets for mitigating muscle atrophy in space and on Earth. Spaceflight responses of C. elegans were more similar to EDL. Discrete life stages of D. melanogaster have distinct utility in anticipating EDL and soleus responses. In summary, spaceflight leads to shared and discrete molecular responses between muscle types and invertebrate models may augment mechanistic knowledge gained from rodent spaceflight and ground-based studies.
Published: 2021

21. Use of reduced gravity simulators for plant biological studies

Author: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), European Space Agency, Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Valbuena, Miguel A. [0000-0002-0585-5636], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl, Valbuena, Miguel A., Manzano, Aranzazu, Kamal, Khaled Y., Villacampa, Alicia, Ciska, Malgorzata, van Loon, Jack JWA, Medina, F. Javier, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), European Space Agency, Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Valbuena, Miguel A. [0000-0002-0585-5636], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl, Valbuena, Miguel A., Manzano, Aranzazu, Kamal, Khaled Y., Villacampa, Alicia, Ciska, Malgorzata, van Loon, Jack JWA, and Medina, F. Javier
Abstract: Simulated microgravity and partial gravity research on Earth is a necessary complement to space research in real microgravity due to limitations of access to spaceflight. However, the use of ground-based facilities for reduced gravity simulation is far from simple. Microgravity simulation usually results in the need to consider secondary effects that appear in the generation of altered gravity. These secondary effects may interfere with gravity alteration in the changes observed in the biological processes under study. In addition to micro- gravity simulation, ground-based facilities are also capable of generating hypergravity or fractional gravity conditions whose effects on biological systems are worth being tested and compared with the results of microgravity exposure. Multiple technologies (2D clinorotation, random positioning machines, magnetic levitators, or centrifuges) and experimental hardware (different containers and substrates for seedlings or cell cultures) are available for these studies. Experimental requirements should be collectively and carefully considered in defining the optimal experimental design, taking into account that some environmental parameters, or life-support conditions, could be difficult to be provided in certain facilities. Using simula- tion facilities will allow us to anticipate, modify, or redefine the findings provided by the scarce available spaceflight opportunities.
Published: 2021

22. Light signals counteract alterations caused by simulated microgravity in proliferating plant cells

Author: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), European Commission, Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Pereda-Loth, Veronica [0000-0002-7365-6217], Sáez-Vásquez, J. [0000-0002-2717-7995], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Manzano, Aranzazu, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, De Bures, Anne, Sáez-Vásquez, J., Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), European Commission, Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Pereda-Loth, Veronica [0000-0002-7365-6217], Sáez-Vásquez, J. [0000-0002-2717-7995], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Manzano, Aranzazu, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, De Bures, Anne, Sáez-Vásquez, J., Herranz, Raúl, and Medina, F. Javier
Abstract: Premise: Light and gravity are fundamental cues for plant development. Our understanding of the effects of light stimuli on plants in space, without gravity, is key to providing conditions for plants to acclimate to the environment. Here we tested the hypothesis that the alterations caused by the absence of gravity in root meristematic cells can be counteracted by light., Methods: Seedlings of wild‐type Arabidopsis thaliana and two mutants of the essential nucleolar protein nucleolin (nuc1, nuc2) were grown in simulated microgravity,either under a white light photoperiod or under continuous darkness. Key variables of cell proliferation (cell cycle regulation), cell growth (ribosome biogenesis),and auxin transport were measured in the root meristem using in situ cellular markers and transcriptomic methods and compared with those of a 1 g control., Results: The incorporation of a photoperiod regime was sufficient to attenuate or suppress the effects caused by gravitational stress at the cellular level in the root meristem. In all cases, values for variables recorded from samples receiving light stimuli in simulated microgravity were closer to values from the controls than values from samples grown in darkness. Differential sensitivities were obtained for the two nucleolin mutants., Conclusions: Light signals may totally or partially replace gravity signals, significantly improving plant growth and development in microgravity. Despite that, molecular alterations are still compatible with the expected acclimation mechanisms, which need to be better understood. The differential sensitivity of nuc1 and nuc2 mutants to gravitational stress points to new strategies to produce more resilient plants to travel with humans in new extraterrestrial endeavors.
Published: 2021

23. Biología Espacial: Buscando las claves de la adaptación a ambientes extraterrestres para la exploración y colonización del Sistema Solar

Author: Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Herranz, Raúl, Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], and Herranz, Raúl
Published: 2021

24. The importance of earth reference controls in spaceflight -omics research: characterization of nucleolin mutants from the seedling growth experiments

Author: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Sáez-Vásquez, J. [0000-0002-2717-7995], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Manzano, Aranzazu, Villacampa, Alicia, Sáez-Vásquez, J., Kiss, John Z., Medina, F. Javier, Herranz, Raúl, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Sáez-Vásquez, J. [0000-0002-2717-7995], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Manzano, Aranzazu, Villacampa, Alicia, Sáez-Vásquez, J., Kiss, John Z., Medina, F. Javier, and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: Understanding plant adaptive responses to the space environment is a requisite for enabling space farming. Spaceflight produces deleterious effects on plant cells, particularly affecting ribosome biogenesis, a complex stress-sensitive process coordinated with cell division and differentiation, known to be activated by red light. Here, in a series of ground studies, we have used mutants from the two Arabidopsis nucleolin genes (NUC1 and NUC2, nucleolar regulators of ribosome biogenesis) to better understand their role in adaptive response mechanisms to stress on Earth. Thus, we show that nucleolin stress-related gene NUC2 can compensate for the environmental stress provided by darkness in nuc1 plants, whereas nuc2 plants are not able to provide a complete response to red light. These ground control findings, as part of the ESA/NASA Seedling Growth spaceflight experiments, will determine the basis for the identification of genetic backgrounds enabling an adaptive advantage for plants in future space experiments.
Published: 2020

25. Revamping Space-omics in Europe

Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Madrigal, Pedro [0000-0003-1959-8199], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Deane, Colleen S. [0000-0002-2281-6479], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Hardiman, Gary [0000-0003-4558-0400], Grosse, Ivo [0000-0001-5318-4825], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Weging, Silvio [0000-0002-8484-4352], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Harridge, Stephen D.R. [0000-0002-8203-0769], Da Silveira, William A. [0000-0001-6370-2884], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Madrigal, Pedro, Gabel, Alexander, Villacampa, Alicia, Manzano, Aranzazu, Deane, Colleen S., Bezdan, Daniela, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Medina, F. Javier, Hardiman, Gary, Grosse, Ivo, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Weging, Silvio, Giacomello, Stefania, Harridge, Stephen D.R., Morris-Paterson, Tessa, Cahill, Thomas, Da Silveira, William A., Herranz, Raúl, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Madrigal, Pedro [0000-0003-1959-8199], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Deane, Colleen S. [0000-0002-2281-6479], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Hardiman, Gary [0000-0003-4558-0400], Grosse, Ivo [0000-0001-5318-4825], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Weging, Silvio [0000-0002-8484-4352], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Harridge, Stephen D.R. [0000-0002-8203-0769], Da Silveira, William A. [0000-0001-6370-2884], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Madrigal, Pedro, Gabel, Alexander, Villacampa, Alicia, Manzano, Aranzazu, Deane, Colleen S., Bezdan, Daniela, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Medina, F. Javier, Hardiman, Gary, Grosse, Ivo, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Weging, Silvio, Giacomello, Stefania, Harridge, Stephen D.R., Morris-Paterson, Tessa, Cahill, Thomas, Da Silveira, William A., and Herranz, Raúl
Published: 2020

26. A new era for space life science: international standards for space omics processing

Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), University of Nottingham, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Philadelphia, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, National Institutes of Health (US), Rutter, Lindsay [0000-0003-2123-3949], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Cope, Henry [0000-0002-4984-0567], Gabitto, Mariano [0000-0001-6911-344X], Gebre, Samrawit [0000-0002-8963-4856], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Gilroy, Simon [0000-0001-9597-6839], Green, Stefan J. [0000-0003-2781-359X], Mason, Christopher E. [0000-0002-1850-1642], Reinsch, Sigrid [0000-0002-6484-7521], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Galazka, Jonathan M. [0000-0002-4153-0249], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Muratani, Masafumi [0000-0002-0276-8000], Rutter, Lindsay, Barker, Richard, Bezdan, Daniela, Cope, Henry, Costes, Sylvain V., Degoricija, Lovorka, Fisch, Kathleen M., Gabitto, Mariano, Gebre, Samrawit, Giacomello, Stefania, Gilroy, Simon, Green, Stefan J., Mason, Christopher E., Reinsch, Sigrid, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Taylor, Deanne M., Galazka, Jonathan M., Herranz, Raúl, Muratani, Masafumi, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), University of Nottingham, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Philadelphia, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, National Institutes of Health (US), Rutter, Lindsay [0000-0003-2123-3949], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Cope, Henry [0000-0002-4984-0567], Gabitto, Mariano [0000-0001-6911-344X], Gebre, Samrawit [0000-0002-8963-4856], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Gilroy, Simon [0000-0001-9597-6839], Green, Stefan J. [0000-0003-2781-359X], Mason, Christopher E. [0000-0002-1850-1642], Reinsch, Sigrid [0000-0002-6484-7521], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Galazka, Jonathan M. [0000-0002-4153-0249], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Muratani, Masafumi [0000-0002-0276-8000], Rutter, Lindsay, Barker, Richard, Bezdan, Daniela, Cope, Henry, Costes, Sylvain V., Degoricija, Lovorka, Fisch, Kathleen M., Gabitto, Mariano, Gebre, Samrawit, Giacomello, Stefania, Gilroy, Simon, Green, Stefan J., Mason, Christopher E., Reinsch, Sigrid, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Taylor, Deanne M., Galazka, Jonathan M., Herranz, Raúl, and Muratani, Masafumi
Abstract: Space agencies have announced plans for human missions to the Moon to prepare for Mars. However, the space environment presents stressors that include radiation, microgravity, and isolation. Understanding how these factors affect biology is crucial for safe and effective crewed space exploration. There is a need to develop countermeasures, to adapt plants and microbes for nutrient sources and bioregenerative life support, and to limit pathogen infection. Scientists across the world are conducting space omics experiments on model organisms and, more recently, on humans. Optimal extraction of actionable scientific discoveries from these precious datasets will only occur at the collective level with improved standardization. To address this shortcoming, we established ISSOP (International Standards for Space Omics Processing), an international consortium of scientists who aim to enhance standard guidelines between space biologists at a global level. Here we introduce our consortium and share past lessons learned and future challenges related to spaceflight omics.
Published: 2020

27. The FixBox: hardware to provide on-orbit fixation capabilities to the EMCS on the ISS

Author: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), European Space Agency, Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Tomás, Albert [0000-0001-9835-8825], Valbuena, Miguel A. [0000-0002-0585-5636], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Edelmann, Richard E. [0000-0002-8316-526X], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Manzano, Aranzazu, Creus, Eva, Tomás, Albert, Valbuena, Miguel A., Villacampa, Alicia, Ciska, Malgorzata, Edelmann, Richard E., Kiss, John Z., Medina, F. Javier, Herranz, Raúl, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), European Space Agency, Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Tomás, Albert [0000-0001-9835-8825], Valbuena, Miguel A. [0000-0002-0585-5636], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Edelmann, Richard E. [0000-0002-8316-526X], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Manzano, Aranzazu, Creus, Eva, Tomás, Albert, Valbuena, Miguel A., Villacampa, Alicia, Ciska, Malgorzata, Edelmann, Richard E., Kiss, John Z., Medina, F. Javier, and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: Plant biology is an important area for the future of space exploration, but biological spaceflight experiments have been always constrained by the hardware capabilities. The European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) unit was an incubator for small organisms, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) and was decommissioned in 2018. Here, we describe the FixBox system as add-on hardware to provide fixation capabilities to the plant growth cassettes, which, initially, were not designed to be used for that purpose. Tests were performed to ensure the successful use of this device in the EMCS facility. We also evaluate the required adaptations to the hardware, e.g., to guarantee that the reduced fluid motion in microgravity does not cause any bubbles that could impair the quality of fixation. Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings grown during spaceflight were fixed in the FixBox either in glutaraldehyde or formaldehyde. Electron microscopical images and confocal microscopy immunofluorescent localizations showed an excellent preservation of both cell ultrastructure and antigen conformation. Thus, it is possible to modify existing hardware to comply with the scientific requirements to augment the existing capabilities on board the ISS. In addition, it is also possible to reuse culture chambers from predesigned experimental containers into new modular subunits as FixBox. Similarly, we can design new hardware compatible with a novel cultivation chamber on board, such as is available in BIOLAB, to be used later with FixBox. Lessons learned for future space plant biology researchers include how to manage the number of hardware requirements and constraints on how to preserve the biological samples.
Published: 2020

28. Evaluation of growth and nutritional value of Brassica microgreens grown under red, blue and green LEDs combinations

Author: European Commission, Dubai Future Foundation, Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], Khodaeiaminjan, Mortaza [0000-0002-4039-1144], El-Tantawy, Ahmed-Abdalla [0000-0001-6590-9467], Attia, Ahmed [0000-0002-6751-6584], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Mohamed A. El-Esawi [0000-0002-8871-5689], Nasrallah, Amr A. [0000-0002-2229-2855], Ramadan, Mohamed Fawzy [0000-0002-5431-8503], Kamal, Khaled Y., Khodaeiaminjan, Mortaza, El-Tantawy, Ahmed-Abdalla, Moneim, Diaa A., Salam, Asmaa Abdel, Ash-shormillesy, Salwa M. A. I., Attia, Ahmed, Ali, Mohamed A. S., Herranz, Raúl, El-Esawi, Mohamed A., Nasrallah, Amr A., Ramadan, Mohamed Fawzy, European Commission, Dubai Future Foundation, Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], Khodaeiaminjan, Mortaza [0000-0002-4039-1144], El-Tantawy, Ahmed-Abdalla [0000-0001-6590-9467], Attia, Ahmed [0000-0002-6751-6584], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Mohamed A. El-Esawi [0000-0002-8871-5689], Nasrallah, Amr A. [0000-0002-2229-2855], Ramadan, Mohamed Fawzy [0000-0002-5431-8503], Kamal, Khaled Y., Khodaeiaminjan, Mortaza, El-Tantawy, Ahmed-Abdalla, Moneim, Diaa A., Salam, Asmaa Abdel, Ash-shormillesy, Salwa M. A. I., Attia, Ahmed, Ali, Mohamed A. S., Herranz, Raúl, El-Esawi, Mohamed A., Nasrallah, Amr A., and Ramadan, Mohamed Fawzy
Abstract: Microgreens are rich functional crops with valuable nutritional elements that have health benefits when used as food supplements. Growth characterization,nutritional composition profile of 21 varieties representing five species of the Brassica genus asmicrogreens were assessed under light-emitting diodes(LEDs) conditions. Microgreens were grown under four different LEDs ratios(%); red:blue 80:20 and 20:80 (R80:B20 and R20:B80), or red:green:blue 70:10:20 and 20:10:70 (R70:G10:B20 and R20:G10:B70). Results indicated that supplemental lighting with green LEDs (R70:G10:B20) enhanced vegetative growth and morphology, while blue LEDs (R20:B80) increased the mineral and vitamin contents. Interestingly, by linking the nutritional content with the growth yield to define the optimal LEDs setup, we found that the best lighting to promote the microgreen growth was the green LEDs combination (R70:G10:B20). Remarkably, under the green LEDs combination (R70:G10:B20) conditions,the microgreens of Kohlrabi purple, Cabbage red, Broccoli, Kale Tucsan, Komatsuna red, Tatsoi and Cabbage green, which can benefit human health in conditions with limited food, had the highest growth and nutritional content.
Published: 2020

29. Differential transcriptional profile through cell cycle progression in Arabidopsis cultures under simulated microgravity

Author: Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (España), Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Kamal, Khaled Y., van Loon, Jack JWA, Medina, F. Javier, Herranz, Raúl, Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (España), Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Kamal, Khaled Y., van Loon, Jack JWA, Medina, F. Javier, and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: Plant cell proliferation is affected by microgravity during spaceflight, but involved molecular mechanisms, key for space agronomy goals, remain unclear. To investigate transcriptomic changes in cell cycle phases caused by simulated microgravity, an Arabidopsis immobilized synchronous suspension culture was incubated in a Random Positioning Machine. After simulation, a transcriptomic analysis was performed with two subpopulations of cells (G2/M and G1 phases enriched) and an asynchronous culture sample. Differential expression was found at cell proliferation, energy/redox and stress responses, plus unknown biological processes gene ontology groups. Overall expression inhibition was a common response to simulated microgravity, but differences peak at the G2/M phase and stress response components change dramatically from G2/M to the G1 subpopulation suggesting a differential adaptation response to simulated microgravity through the cell cycle. Cell cycle adaptation using both known stress mechanisms and unknown function genes may cope with reduced gravity as an evolutionary novel environment.
Published: 2019

30. Cell cycle acceleration and changes in essential nuclear functions induced by simulated microgravity in a synchronized Arabidopsis cell culture

Author: Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (España), Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Kamal, Khaled Y., Herranz, Raúl, van Loon, Jack JWA, Medina, F. Javier, Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (España), Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Kamal, Khaled Y., Herranz, Raúl, van Loon, Jack JWA, and Medina, F. Javier
Abstract: Zero-gravity is an environmental challenge unknown to organisms throughout evolution on Earth. Nevertheless, plants are sensitive to altered gravity, as exemplified by changes in meristematic cell proliferation and growth. We found that synchronized Arabidopsis cultured cells exposed to simulated microgravity showed a shortened cell cycle, caused by a shorter G2/M phase and a slightly longer G1 phase. The analysis of selected marker genes and proteins by qPCR and flow cytometry in synchronic G1 and G2 subpopulations indicated changes in gene expression of core cell cycle regulators and chromatin-modifying factors, confirming that microgravity induced misregulation of G2/M and G1/S checkpoints and chromatin remodeling. Changes in chromatin-based regulation included higher DNA methylation and lower histone acetylation, increased chromatin condensation and overall depletion of nuclear transcription. Estimation of ribosome biogenesis rate using nucleolar parameters and selected nucleolar genes and proteins indicated reduced nucleolar activity under simulated microgravity, especially at G2/M. These results expand our knowledge of how meristematic cells are affected by real and simulated microgravity. Counteracting this cellular stress is necessary for plant culture in space exploration.
Published: 2019

31. The combined effects of real or simulated microgravity and red-light photoactivation on plant root meristematic cells

Author: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), European Commission, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (France), Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Edelmann, Richard E. [0000-0002-8316-526X], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Valbuena, Miguel A., Manzano, Aranzazu, Vandenbrink, Joshua P., Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Edelmann, Richard E., Kiss, John Z., Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), European Commission, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (France), Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Edelmann, Richard E. [0000-0002-8316-526X], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Valbuena, Miguel A., Manzano, Aranzazu, Vandenbrink, Joshua P., Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Edelmann, Richard E., Kiss, John Z., Herranz, Raúl, and Medina, F. Javier
Abstract: Red light is able to compensate for deleterious effects of microgravity on root cell growth and proliferation. Partial gravity combined with red light produces differential signals during the early plant development. Light and gravity are environmental cues used by plants throughout evolution to guide their development. We have investigated the cross-talk between phototropism and gravitropism under altered gravity in space. The focus was on the effects on the meristematic balance between cell growth and proliferation, which is disrupted under microgravity in the dark. In our spaceflight experiments, seedlings of three Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes, namely the wild type and mutants of phytochrome A and B, were grown for 6 days, including red-light photoactivation for the last 2 days. Apart from the microgravity and the 1g on-board control conditions, fractional gravity (nominally 0.1g, 0.3g, and 0.5g) was created with on-board centrifuges. In addition, a simulated microgravity (random positioning machine, RPM) experiment was performed on ground, including both dark-grown and photostimulated samples. Photoactivated samples in spaceflight and RPM experiments showed an increase in the root length consistent with phototropic response to red light, but, as gravity increased, a gradual decrease in this response was observed. Uncoupling of cell growth and proliferation was detected under microgravity in darkness by transcriptomic and microscopic methods, but red-light photoactivation produced a significant reversion. In contrast, the combination of red light and partial gravity produced small but consistent variations in the molecular markers of cell growth and proliferation, suggesting an antagonistic effect between light and gravity signals at the early plant development. Understanding these parameters of plant growth and development in microgravity will be important as bioregenerative life support systems for the colonization of the Moon and Mars.
Published: 2018

32. Embedding arabidopsis plant cell suspensions in low-melting agarose facilitates altered gravity studies

Author: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Netherlands Institute for Space Research, European Commission, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Kamal, Khaled Y., van Loon, Jack JWA, Medina, F. Javier, Herranz, Raúl, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Netherlands Institute for Space Research, European Commission, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Kamal, Khaled Y., van Loon, Jack JWA, Medina, F. Javier, and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: Gravity plays a role in modulating plant growth and development and its alteration induces changes in these processes. Microgravity research has recently been extended to the use of in vitro plant cell cultures which are considered as an ideal model system to study cell proliferation and growth. In general, among the ground-based facilities available for microgravity simulation, the 2D pipette clinostat had been previously considered a suitable facility to be used for unicellular biological models although studies using single plant cell cultures raised some concerns. The incompatibility comes from the standard requirement of shaking a suspension culture for assuring its viability and active proliferation status in the control samples. Moreover, a related issue applies to the use of the random positioning machine (RPM) for cell suspension experiments. Here, we demonstrate an alternative culture method based on the immobilization of the culture before the altered gravity treatment occurs, such that it behaves as a solid object. Our immobilization procedure preserved plant cell culture viability without compromising basic cell properties as viability, morphology, cell cycle phases distribution, or chromatin organization, when compared with a standard cell suspension under shaking as a control. This approach should allow the space biology community to improve the quantity and quality of plant cell results in future simulated microgravity experiments or spaceflight opportunities.
Published: 2017

33. Functional alterations of root meristematic cells of Arabidopsis thaliana induced by a simulated microgravity environment

Author: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (France), Netherlands Institute for Space Research, Boucheron-Dubuisson, Élodie [0000-0001-9914-1740], Sáez-Vásquez, J. [0000-0002-2717-7995], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Boucheron-Dubuisson, Élodie, Manzano, Ana I., Le-Disquet, Isabel, Matía, Isabel, Sáez-Vásquez, J., van Loon, Jack JWA, Herranz, Raúl, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Medina, F. Javier, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (France), Netherlands Institute for Space Research, Boucheron-Dubuisson, Élodie [0000-0001-9914-1740], Sáez-Vásquez, J. [0000-0002-2717-7995], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Boucheron-Dubuisson, Élodie, Manzano, Ana I., Le-Disquet, Isabel, Matía, Isabel, Sáez-Vásquez, J., van Loon, Jack JWA, Herranz, Raúl, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, and Medina, F. Javier
Abstract: Environmental gravity modulates plant growth and development, and these processes are influenced by the balance between cell proliferation and differentiation in meristems. Meristematic cells are characterized by the coordination between cell proliferation and cell growth, that is, by the accurate regulation of cell cycle progression and the optimal production of biomass for the viability of daughter cells after division. Thus, cell growth is correlated with the rate of ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis. We investigated the effects of simulated microgravity on cellular functions of the root meristem in a sequential study. Seedlings were grown in a clinostat, a device producing simulated microgravity, for periods between 3 and 10days. In a complementary study, seedlings were grown in a Random Positioning Machine (RPM) and sampled sequentially after similar periods of growth. Under these conditions, the cell proliferation rate and the regulation of cell cycle progression showed significant alterations, accompanied by a reduction of cell growth. However, the overall size of the root meristem did not change. Analysis of cell cycle phases by flow cytometry showed changes in their proportion and duration, and the expression of the cyclin B1 gene, a marker of entry in mitosis, was decreased, indicating altered cell cycle regulation. With respect to cell growth, the rate of ribosome biogenesis was reduced under simulated microgravity, as shown by morphological and morphometric nucleolar changes and variations in the levels of the nucleolar protein nucleolin. Furthermore, in a nucleolin mutant characterized by disorganized nucleolar structure, the microgravity treatment intensified disorganization. These results show that, regardless of the simulated microgravity device used, a great disruption of meristematic competence was the first response to the environmental alteration detected at early developmental stages. However, longer periods of exposure to simulated micr
Published: 2016

34. Use of microgravity simulators for plant biological studies

Author: European Space Agency, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl, Valbuena, Miguel A., Manzano, Aranzazu, Kamal, Khaled Y., Medina, F. Javier, European Space Agency, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl, Valbuena, Miguel A., Manzano, Aranzazu, Kamal, Khaled Y., and Medina, F. Javier
Abstract: Simulated microgravity and partial gravity research on Earth is highly convenient for every space biology researcher due to limitations of access to spacefl ight. However, the use of ground-based facilities for microgravity simulation is far from simple. Microgravity simulation usually results in the need to consider additional environmental parameters which appear as secondary effects in the generation of altered gravity. These secondary effects may interfere with gravity alteration in the changes observed in the biological processes under study. Furthermore, ground-based facilities are also capable of generating hypergravity or fractional gravity conditions, which are worth being tested and compared with the results of microgravity exposure. Multiple technologies (2D clinorotation, random positioning machines, magnetic levitators or centrifuges), experimental hardware (proper use of containers and substrates for the seedlings or cell cultures), and experimental requirements (some life support/environmental parameters are more diffi cult to provide in certain facilities) should be collectively considered in defi ning the optimal experimental design that will allow us to anticipate, modify, or redefi ne the fi ndings provided by the scarce spacefl ight opportunities that have been (and will be) available.
Published: 2015

35. Proper selection of 1g controls in simulated microgravity research as illustrated with clinorotated plant cell suspension cultures

Author: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), European Space Agency, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], Hemmersbach, Ruth [0000-0001-5308-6715], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Kamal, Khaled Y., Hemmersbach, Ruth, Medina, F. Javier, Herranz, Raúl, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), European Space Agency, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), Kamal, Khaled Y. [0000-0002-6909-8056], Hemmersbach, Ruth [0000-0001-5308-6715], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Kamal, Khaled Y., Hemmersbach, Ruth, Medina, F. Javier, and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: Understanding the physical and biological effects of the absence of gravity is necessary to conduct operations on space environments. It has been previously shown that the microgravity environment induces the dissociation of cell proliferation from cell growth in young seedling root meristems, but this source material is limited to few cells in each row of meristematic layers. Plant cell cultures, composed by a large and homogeneous population of proliferating cells, are an ideal model to study the effects of altered gravity on cellular mechanisms regulating cell proliferation and associated cell growth. Cell suspension cultures of Arabidopsis thaliana cell line (MM2d) were exposed to 2D-clinorotation in a pipette clinostat for 3.5 or 14 h, respectively, and were then processed either by quick freezing, to be used in flow cytometry, or by chemical fixation, for microscopy techniques. After long-term clinorotation, the proportion of cells in G1 phase was increased and the nucleolus area, as revealed by immunofluorescence staining with anti-nucleolin, was decreased. Despite the compatibility of these results with those obtained in real microgravity on seedling meristems, we provide a technical discussion in the context of clinorotation and proper 1g controls with respect to suspension cultures. Standard 1g procedure of sustaining the cell suspension is achieved by continuously shaking. Thus, we compare the mechanical forces acting on cells in clinorotated samples, in a control static sample and in the standard 1g conditions of suspension cultures in order to define the conditions of a complete and reliable experiment in simulated microgravity with corresponding 1g controls.
Published: 2015

36. Growing plants under generated extra-terrestrial environments: effects of altered gravity and radiation

Author: Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Arena, Carmen [0000-0002-9718-2941], Aronne, Giovanna [0000-0002-4800-7901], De Micco, Veronica [0000-0002-4282-9525], Medina, F. Javier, Herranz, Raúl, Arena, Carmen, Aronne, Giovanna, De Micco, Veronica, Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Arena, Carmen [0000-0002-9718-2941], Aronne, Giovanna [0000-0002-4800-7901], De Micco, Veronica [0000-0002-4282-9525], Medina, F. Javier, Herranz, Raúl, Arena, Carmen, Aronne, Giovanna, and De Micco, Veronica
Published: 2015

37. Exploration of plant growth and development using the European Modular Cultivation System facility on the International Space Station

Author: Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (France), Norwegian Research Council, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), European Space Agency, Mazars, Christian [0000-0002-0670-6042], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Boucheron-Dubuisson, Élodie [0000-0001-9914-1740], Legué, V. [0000-0001-6626-5149], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Pereda-Loth, Veronica [0000-0002-7365-6217], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Kittang, Ann Iren, Iversen, Tor Henning, Fossum, K. R., Mazars, Christian, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Boucheron-Dubuisson, Élodie, Le-Disquet, Isabel, Legué, V., Herranz, Raúl, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Medina, F. Javier, Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (France), Norwegian Research Council, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), European Space Agency, Mazars, Christian [0000-0002-0670-6042], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Boucheron-Dubuisson, Élodie [0000-0001-9914-1740], Legué, V. [0000-0001-6626-5149], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Pereda-Loth, Veronica [0000-0002-7365-6217], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Kittang, Ann Iren, Iversen, Tor Henning, Fossum, K. R., Mazars, Christian, Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Boucheron-Dubuisson, Élodie, Le-Disquet, Isabel, Legué, V., Herranz, Raúl, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, and Medina, F. Javier
Abstract: Space experiments provide a unique opportunity to advance our knowledge of how plants respond to the space environment, and specifically to the absence of gravity. The European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) has been designed as a dedicated facility to improve and standardise plant growth in the International Space Station (ISS). The EMCS is equipped with two centrifuges to perform experiments in microgravity and with variable gravity levels up to 2.0 g. Seven experiments have been performed since the EMCS was operational on the ISS. The objectives of these experiments aimed to elucidate phototropic responses (experiments TROPI-1 and -2), root gravitropic sensing (GRAVI-1), circumnutation (MULTIGEN-1), cell wall dynamics and gravity resistance (Cell wall/Resist wall), proteomic identification of signalling players (GENARA-A) and mechanism of InsP3 signalling (Plant signalling). The role of light in cell proliferation and plant development in the absence of gravity is being analysed in an on-going experiment (Seedling growth). Based on the lessons learned from the acquired experience, three preselected ISS experiments have been merged and implemented as a single project (Plant development) to study early phases of seedling development. A Topical Team initiated by European Space Agency (ESA), involving experienced scientists on Arabidopsis space research experiments, aims at establishing a coordinated, long-term scientific strategy to understand the role of gravity in Arabidopsis growth and development using already existing or planned new hardware.
Published: 2014

38. The behavioural-driven response of the Drosophila imago transcriptome to different types of modified gravity

Author: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK), Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (España), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), Netherlands Institute for Space Research, Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Dijkstra, Camelia E. [0000-0002-6440-5643], Eaves, Laurence [0000-0002-5334-0987], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl, Hill, Richard J. A., Dijkstra, Camelia E., Eaves, Laurence, van Loon, Jack JWA, Medina, F. Javier, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK), Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (España), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), Netherlands Institute for Space Research, Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Dijkstra, Camelia E. [0000-0002-6440-5643], Eaves, Laurence [0000-0002-5334-0987], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl, Hill, Richard J. A., Dijkstra, Camelia E., Eaves, Laurence, van Loon, Jack JWA, and Medina, F. Javier
Abstract: Genome-wide transcriptional profiling experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) have revealed important alterations in the gene expression of Drosophila. In contrast, simulated microgravity experiments in Earth-based laboratories, where the particular constraints and conditions in orbiting spacecraft are absent, show weaker changes in gene expression. Here we use the "gene expression dynamics inspector" (GEDI) self-organizing maps to investigate the effect of altered gravity on different populations of Drosophila. We employ diamagnetic levitation and different mechanical techniques to generate microgravity and hypergravity and compare the changes in gene expression in these modified environments. In addition to behavioural and reproductive responses detected at the gene expression level, our results also indicate a subtle response of the transcriptome that is finely-tuned to Earth´s gravity.
Published: 2013

39. Microgravity environment uncouples cell growth and cell proliferation in root meristematic cells:the mediator role of auxin

Author: Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (España), Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier, Herranz, Raúl, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (España), Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier, and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: Experiments performed in space have evidenced that, in root meristematic cells, the absence of gravity results in the uncoupling of cell growth and cell proliferation, two essential cellular functions that support plant growth and development, which are strictly coordinated under normal ground gravity conditions. In space, cell proliferation appears enhanced whereas cell growth is depleted. Since coordination of cell growth and proliferation is a major feature of meristematic cells, the observed uncoupling is a serious stress condition for these cells producing important alterations in the developmental pattern of the plant. Auxin plays a major role in these processes both by assuring the coupling of cell growth and proliferation under normal conditions and by exerting a decisive influence in the uncoupling under altered gravity conditions. Auxin is a mediator of the transduction of the gravitropic signal and its distribution in the root is altered subsequent to a change in the gravity conditions. This altered distribution may produce changes in the expression of specific growth coordinators leading to the alteration of cell cycle and protein synthesis. Therefore, available data indicate that the effects of altered gravity on cell growth and proliferation are the consequence of the transduction of the gravitropic signal perceived by columella cells, in the root tip.
Published: 2010

40. Nucleolin, a major conserved multifunctional nucleolar phosphoprotein of proliferating cells

Author: Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (España), Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], González-Camacho, Fernando [0000-0003-3175-9004], Manrique, Antonio [0000-0001-9922-1433], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier, González-Camacho, Fernando, Manzano, Ana I., Manrique, Antonio, Herranz, Raúl, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (España), Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], González-Camacho, Fernando [0000-0003-3175-9004], Manrique, Antonio [0000-0001-9922-1433], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier, González-Camacho, Fernando, Manzano, Ana I., Manrique, Antonio, and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: Nucleolin is the major nucleolar protein of animal, plant and yeast proliferating cells. It is enriched in the most soluble nuclear or nucleolar protein extract, containing ribonucleoproteins, from which it has been purified. It has a tripartite structure in which each domain accounts for different functions. Despite its multifunctionality, the best characterized role of nucleolin is in the primary cleavage of pre-rRNA, an early step of ribosome biogenesis. In the nucleolus of proliferating cells, nucleolin is mostly located in the dense fibrillar component, following a vectorial pattern, from the periphery of fibrillar centers outwards. This pattern is lost in quiescent cells in which nucleolin is present in low levels. Nucleolin is the most phosphorylated protein of the soluble nuclear extract. It is phosphorylated by casein kinase II and CDKA, and phosphorylation is closely associated with the role of nucleolin in proliferating cells. During mitosis, nucleolin is transported from the mother to the daughter cell nucleolus in the form of processing particles, together with pre-rRNA precursors and other nucleolar proteins. It forms part of prenucleolar bodies and plays a role in nucleologenesis. Recent studies on the nucleolin function, carried out on samples with inactivated nucleolin genes (siRNA downregulated or mutants) have evidenced that nucleolin is absolutely essential for cell proliferation, for the organization of the nucleolus and for transcription and processing of pre-rRNA. In plants, nucleolin controls the auxin responsiveness, thus being involved in the regulation of plant development.
Published: 2010

41. Diversification and independent evolution of troponin C genes in insects

Author: Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Mateos, Jesús [0000-0002-1782-6779], Herranz, Raúl, Mateos, Jesús, Marco, Roberto, Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Mateos, Jesús [0000-0002-1782-6779], Herranz, Raúl, Mateos, Jesús, and Marco, Roberto
Abstract: Troponin C (TpnC), the calcium-binding subunit of the troponin regulatory complex in the muscle thin filament, is encoded by multiple genes in insects. To understand how TpnC genes have evolved, we characterized the gene number and structure in a number of insect species. The TpnC gene complement is five genes in Drosophilidae as previously reported for D. melanogaster. Gene structures are almost identical in D. pseudoobscura, D. suboboscura, and D. virilis. Developmental patterns of expression are also conserved in Drosophila subobscura and D. virilis. Similar, but not completely equivalent, TpnC gene repertoires have been identified in the Anopheles gambiae and Apis mellifera genomes. Insect TpnC sequences can be divided into three groups, allowing a systematic classification of newly identified genes. The pattern of expression of the Apis mellifera genes essentially agrees with the pattern in Drosophilidae, providing further functional support to the classification. A model for the evolution of the TpnC genes is proposed including the most likely pathway of insect TpnC diversification. Our results suggest that the rapid increase in number and sequence specialization of the adult Type III isoforms can be correlated with the evolution of the holometabolous mode of development and the acquisition of asynchronous indirect flight muscle function in insects. This evolutionarily specialization has probably been achieved independently in different insect orders.
Published: 2005

42. Evolución génica del complejo troponina en insectos

Author: Marco, Roberto, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (España), Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Herranz, Raúl, Marco, Roberto, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (España), Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: En esta era genómica a pesar de las iniciativas de anotación automatizada, es necesaria la intervención directa de los bioquímicos para decidir cual es el verdadero contenido de los genomas secuenciados. En nuestro laboratorio hemos conseguido establecer definitivamente cuál es el número total de genes que codifican la Troponina C, y el de isoformas de procesamiento alternativo presentes en los genes de la Troponina T y la Troponina I. Se ha establecido el patrón de expresión de este repertorio de isoformas y su utilización diferencial en los diferentes tipos musculares de los insectos estudiados. El análisis evolutivo nos ha permitido localizar nuevos elementos de los genes ya descritos por comparación y reconstruir la historia evolutiva de estos genes que incluyen "soluciones evolutivas" muy diversas para cada tipo de gen y organismo. Merece interés el hecho de que aunque el camino evolutivo seguido por algunos genes en distintas especies ha sido diferente, el resultado final ha sido convergente, hasta el punto de que un repertorio similar de isoformas se puede encontrar en todos los insectos investigados. Los músculos indirectos de vuelo han sido especialmente considerados dadas sus especiales características, su asincronía producida por el fenómeno de activación por estiramiento. Algunos de los nuevos genes e isoformas descritas estar implicados en este mecanismo, que curiosamente ha evolucionado independientemente en distintos tipos de insectos. Combinando los dos tipos de abordaje utilizados, es decir, la coexpresión de isoformas en diferentes tejidos musculares de los insectos, y la coevolución de las secuencias implicadas en esas isoformas, hemos podido construir un modelo que explica esa asincronía. Finalmente se incluye un anexo sobre la preparación de los experimentos GENE y AGEING realizados por el Astronauta Pedro Duque a bordo de la Estación Espacial Internacional en paralelo al desarrollo de la tesis.
Published: 2003

43. A novel device to study altered gravity and light interactions in seedling tropisms

Author: Fiore Capozzi, F. Javier Medina, Leone Ermes Romano, Giovanna Aronne, Jack J. W. A. van Loon, Maurizio Iovane, Lucius Wilhelminus Franciscus Muthert, Malgorzata Ciska, Raúl Herranz, Luigi Gennaro Izzo, John Z. Kiss, Aránzazu Manzano, European Space Agency, Aronne, Giovanna [0000-0002-4800-7901], Izzo, Luigi Gennaro [0000-0001-5722-2497], Romano, Leone Ermes [0000-0002-2858-7814], Iovane, Maurizio [0000-0002-7084-3885], Capozzi, Fiore [0000-0002-9076-7701], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], Maxillofacial Surgery (AMC + VUmc), Aronne, Giovanna, Muthert, Lucius Wilhelminus Franciscu, Izzo, Luigi Gennaro, Romano, Leone Erme, Iovane, Maurizio, Capozzi, Fiore, Manzano, Aránzazu, Ciska, Malgorzata, Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, Kiss, John Z., van Loon, Jack J. W. A., Romano, Leone Ermes, Manzano, Aranzazu, van Loon, Jack JWA, AMS - Ageing & Vitality, and AMS - Musculoskeletal Health
Subjects: Gravity (chemistry), Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Hypergravity, Spaceflight, Tropism, law.invention, Gravitropism, law, SDG 13 - Climate Action, Phototropism, Life support system, Centrifuge, Radiation, Ecology, Random positioning machine, Gravitropism, Hypergravity, Phototropism,Root tropisms, Simulated microgravity, Tropism interaction, Weightlessness, Petri dish, Simulated microgravity, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Space Flight, Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous), Tropism interaction, Seedlings, Root tropisms, Environmental science, Biological system
Abstract: 19 p.-8 fig.-1 tab., Long-duration space missions will need to rely on the use of plants in bio-regenerative life support systems (BLSSs) because these systems can produce fresh food and oxygen, reduce carbon dioxide levels, recycle metabolic waste, and purify water. In this scenario, the need for new experiments on the effects of altered gravity conditions on plant biological processes is increasing, and significant efforts should be devoted to new ideas aimed at increasing the scientific output and lowering the experimental costs. Here, we report the design of an easy-to-produce and inexpensive device conceived to analyze the effect of interaction between gravity and light on root tropisms. Each unit consisted of a polystyrene multi-slot rack with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), capable of holding Petri dishes and assembled with a particular filter-paper folding. The device was successfully used for the ROOTROPS (for root tropisms) experiment performed in the Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC) and Random Positioning Machine (RPM) at ESA's European Space Research and Technology centre (ESTEC). During the experiments, four light treatments and six gravity conditions were factorially combined to study their effects on root orientation of Brassica oleracea seedlings. Light treatments (red, blue, and white) and a dark condition were tested under four hypergravity levels (20 g, 15 g, 10 g, 5 g), a 1 g control, and a simulated microgravity (RPM) condition. Results of validation tests showed that after 24 h, the assembled system remained unaltered, no slipping or displacement of seedlings occurred at any hypergravity treatment or on the RPM, and seedlings exhibited robust growth. Overall, the device was effective and reliable in achieving scientific goals, suggesting that it can be used for ground-based research on phototropism-gravitropism interactions. Moreover, the concepts developed can be further expanded for use in future spaceflight experiments with plants., This work was supported by the ESA-HRE CORA contract #4000127705/19/NL/PG/pt. Financial support was also provided by ESA-TEC contract #4000116223/16/NL/KML/hh to Jack J.W.A. van Loon, by Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (grant RTI2018–099309-B-I00, co-funded by EU-ERDF) to F. Javier Medina, and by NASA (grant 80NSSC17K0546) to John Z. Kiss.
Published: 2022

44. Light signals counteract alterations caused by simulated microgravity in proliferating plant cells

Author: Raúl Herranz, F. Javier Medina, Veronica Pereda-Loth, Aránzazu Manzano, Julio Sáez-Vásquez, Anne de Bures, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Madrid] (CSIC), Groupement scientifique de Biologie et de Medecine Spatiale (GSBMS), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES), Laboratoire Génome et développement des plantes (LGDP), Université de Perpignan Via Domitia (UPVD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), ANR-10-LABX-0041,TULIP,Towards a Unified theory of biotic Interactions: the roLe of environmental(2010), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), European Commission, Manzano, Aranzazu, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Sáez-Vásquez, J., Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Pereda-Loth, Veronica [0000-0002-7365-6217], Sáez-Vásquez, J. [0000-0002-2717-7995], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], and Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710]
Subjects: 0106 biological sciences, abiotic stress, Meristem, Arabidopsis, ribosome biogenesis, Plant Science, Cell cycle, space plant biology, Biology, Plant Roots, 01 natural sciences, 03 medical and health sciences, nucleolin, Auxin, Plant Cells, Genetics, Arabidopsis thaliana, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, 030304 developmental biology, Nucleolin, chemistry.chemical_classification, photoperiodism, 0303 health sciences, Space plant biology, Weightlessness, Cell growth, fungi, auxin transport, Auxin transport, food and beverages, [SDV.BV.BOT]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Vegetal Biology/Botanics, Space Flight, 15. Life on land, Abiotic stress, Plant cell, biology.organism_classification, Cell biology, chemistry, Seedlings, Ribosome biogenesis, root meristem, Darkness, cell cycle, Graviresponse, Root meristem, graviresponse, 010606 plant biology & botany
Abstract: 18 p.-9 fig., Premise: Light and gravity are fundamental cues for plant development. Our understanding of the effects of light stimuli on plants in space, without gravity, is key to providing conditions for plants to acclimate to the environment. Here we tested the hypothesis that the alterations caused by the absence of gravity in root meristematic cells can be counteracted by light., Methods: Seedlings of wild‐type Arabidopsis thaliana and two mutants of the essential nucleolar protein nucleolin (nuc1, nuc2) were grown in simulated microgravity,either under a white light photoperiod or under continuous darkness. Key variables of cell proliferation (cell cycle regulation), cell growth (ribosome biogenesis),and auxin transport were measured in the root meristem using in situ cellular markers and transcriptomic methods and compared with those of a 1 g control., Results: The incorporation of a photoperiod regime was sufficient to attenuate or suppress the effects caused by gravitational stress at the cellular level in the root meristem. In all cases, values for variables recorded from samples receiving light stimuli in simulated microgravity were closer to values from the controls than values from samples grown in darkness. Differential sensitivities were obtained for the two nucleolin mutants., Conclusions: Light signals may totally or partially replace gravity signals, significantly improving plant growth and development in microgravity. Despite that, molecular alterations are still compatible with the expected acclimation mechanisms, which need to be better understood. The differential sensitivity of nuc1 and nuc2 mutants to gravitational stress points to new strategies to produce more resilient plants to travel with humans in new extraterrestrial endeavors., This work was funded by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación of the Spanish Ministry of Science an Innovation, Grants#ESP2015‐64323‐R and #RTI2018‐099309‐B‐I00 (co‐funded by EU‐ERDF) to F.J.M., and Bonus Recherche from the UPVD to J.S.V. The use of the facilities of microgravity simulation was provided by the ESA‐CORA‐Ground Based Facilities Program, contract Ref. #4000105761 to F.J.M. and R.H. A.M. was recipient of a contract of the Program for Young Researchers Training of the Agencia Estatal de Investigación of the Spanish Ministry of Science an Innovation Ref. #BES‐2013‐063933.
Published: 2021

45. Spaceflight studies identify a gene encoding an intermediate filament involved in tropism pathways

Author: Tatsiana Shymanovich, Joshua P. Vandenbrink, Raúl Herranz, F. Javier Medina, John Z. Kiss, NASA Astrobiology Institute (US), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Shymanovich, Tatsiana, Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, Kiss, John Z., Shymanovich, Tatsiana [0000-0001-5272-7381], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], and Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X]
Subjects: Gravitropism, Neurofilament light protein, Light, Weightlessness, Physiology, Genetics, Intermediate filaments, Plant Science, Microgravity, Spaceflight, Space Flight, Phototropism, Cytoskeleton
Abstract: 35 p.-5 tab.-4 tab.supl., We performed a series of experiments to study the interaction between phototropism and gravitropism in Arabidopsis thaliana as part of the Seedling Growth Project on the International Space Station. Red-light-based and blue-light-based phototropism were examined in microgravity and at 1g, a control that was produced by an on-board centrifuge. At the end of the experiments, seedlings were frozen and brought back to Earth for gene profiling studies via RNASeq methods. In this paper, we focus on five genes identified in these space studies by their differential expression in space: one involved in auxin transport and four others encoding genes for: a methyltransferase subunit, a transmembrane protein, a transcription factor for endodermis formation, and a cytoskeletal element (an intermediate filament protein). Time course studies using mutant strains of these five genes were performed for blue-light and red-light phototropism studies as well as for gravitropism assays on ground. Interestingly, all five of the genes had some effects on all the tropisms under the conditions studied. In addition, RT-PCR analyses examined expression of the five genes in wild-type seedlings during blue-light-based phototropism. Previous studies have supported a role of both microfilaments and microtubules in tropism pathways. However, the most interesting finding of the present space studies is that NFL, a gene encoding an intermediate filament protein, plays a role in phototropism and gravitropism, which opens the possibility that this cytoskeletal element modulates signal transduction in plants., This work was supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [grant 80NSSC17K0546 to John Z. Kiss] and by the Spanish Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Desarrollo Tecnológico [Grant RTI2018-099309-B-I00, co-funded by EU-ERDF, to F. Javier Medina].
Published: 2022

46. Interaction of gravitropism and phototropism in roots of Brassica oleracea

Author: Malgorzata Ciska, Fiore Capozzi, Raúl Herranz, Maurizio Iovane, Luigi Gennaro Izzo, Giovanna Aronne, F. Javier Medina, Lucius Wilhelminus Franciscus Muthert, Aránzazu Manzano, Leone Ermes Romano, John Z. Kiss, Jack J. W. A. van Loon, Maxillofacial Surgery (AMC + VUmc), European Space Agency, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Izzo, Luigi Gennaro, Romano, Leone Ermes, Iovane, Maurizio, Capozzi, Fiore, Manzano, Aranzazu, Ciska, Malgorzata, Herranz, Raúl, Medina, F. Javier, Kiss, John Z., van Loon, Jack JWA, Aronne, Giovanna, AMS - Ageing & Vitality, AMS - Musculoskeletal Health, Izzo, Luigi Gennaro [0000-0001-5722-2497], Romano, Leone Ermes [0000-0002-2858-7814], Iovane, Maurizio [0000-0002-7084-3885], Capozzi, Fiore [0000-0002-9076-7701], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Ciska, Malgorzata [0000-0002-6514-9493], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Kiss, John Z. [0000-0003-1326-127X], van Loon, Jack JWA [0000-0001-9051-6016], and Aronne, Giovanna [0000-0002-4800-7901]
Subjects: Physics, Gravity (chemistry), Hypergravity, biology, Random positioning machine, Simulated microgravity, Gravitropism, Plant Science, biology.organism_classification, Curvature, Light intensity, Root tropisms, Biophysics, Brassica oleracea, Phototropism, Agronomy and Crop Science, Red light, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Blue light, Light quality
Abstract: 24 p.-9 fig., Gravitropism and phototropism play a primary role in orienting root growth. Tropistic responses of roots mediated by gravity and light have been extensively investigated, and a complex mutual interaction occurs between these two tropisms. To date, most studies have been conducted in 1 g, microgravity, or simulated microgravity, whereas no studies investigated root phototropism in hypergravity. Therefore, we studied the effects of several gravity treatments with those of different light wavelengths on root growth orientation. Here, we report growth and curvature of Brassica oleracea roots under different g levels, from simulated microgravity up to 20 g, and unilateral illumination with different spectral treatments provided by light emitting diodes. Microgravity was simulated with a random positioning machine whereas hypergravity conditions were obtained using the Large Diameter Centrifuge at the laboratories of the European Space Agency in the Netherlands. Four light treatments (white light, blue light, red light, and dark) were used in this study. Overall, roots of seedlings grown in the dark were longer than those developed under unilateral light treatments, regardless of the gravity level. Unilateral blue light or white light stimulated a negative phototropism of roots under all g levels, and root curvature was not affected by either hypergravity or simulated microgravity compared to 1 g. Results also confirmed previous findings on the effect of light intensity on root curvature and highlighted the relevance of blue-light photon flux density in root phototropism. Roots illuminated with red light showed a weak curvature in simulated microgravity but not in hypergravity. Moreover, root curvature under red light was similar to dark-grown roots in all g levels, suggesting a possible involvement of surface-dependent phenomena in root skewing under either red light or dark conditions. Further studies can confirm phototropic responses of B. oleracea in the weightless environment of orbiting spacecraft. Nevertheless, according to our findings, directional lighting represents an effective stimulus to guide root growth in a wide range of gravity conditions., This work was supported by the ESA-HRE CORA contract #4000127705/19/NL/PG/pt. Financial support was also provided by ESA-TEC contract #4000116223/16/NL/KML/hh to Jack J.W.A. van Loon, by Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (Grant RTI2018-099309-B-I00, co-funded by EU- ERDF) to F. Javier Medina, and by NASA (Grant 80NSSC17K0546) to John Z. Kiss.
Published: 2022

47. Routine omics collection is a golden opportunity for European human research in space and analog environments

Author: Henry Cope, Craig R.G. Willis, Matthew J. MacKay, Lindsay A. Rutter, Li Shean Toh, Philip M. Williams, Raúl Herranz, Joseph Borg, Daniela Bezdan, Stefania Giacomello, Masafumi Muratani, Christopher E. Mason, Timothy Etheridge, Nathaniel J. Szewczyk, European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), University of Nottingham, Swedish Research Council, Cope, Henry [0000-0002-4984-0567], Rutter, Lindsay [0000-0003-2123-3949], Toh, Li Shean [0000-0002-9228-6266], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Muratani, Masafumi [0000-0002-0276-8000], Mason, Christopher E. [0000-0002-1850-1642], Etheridge,Timothy [0000-0002-3588-8711], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Cope, Henry, Rutter, Lindsay, Toh, Li Shean, Herranz, Raúl, Bezdan, Daniela, Giacomello, Stefania, Muratani, Masafumi, Mason, Christopher E., Etheridge,Timothy, and Szewczyk, Nathaniel
Subjects: Artificial intelligence, Space flight -- Computer simulation, Data protection -- Law and legislation, General Decision Sciences, Commercial spaceflight, Multiomics, Space stations -- International cooperation, Longitudinal method, Artificial intelligence -- Case studies, Personalized medicine, International Space Station, biobank, Longitudinal monitoring, Biobanks, Astronaut ethics, Personalized medicine -- Economic aspects, Astronauts, GDPR, European Space Agency
Abstract: 16 p.-3 fig.-1 tab., Widespread generation and analysis of omics data have revolutionized molecular medicine on Earth, yet its power to yield new mechanistic insights and improve occupational health during spaceflight is still to be fully realized in humans. Nevertheless, rapid technological advancements and ever-regular spaceflight programs mean that longitudinal, standardized, and cost-effective collection of human space omics data are firmly within reach. Here, we consider the practicality and scientific return of different sampling methods and omic types in the context of human spaceflight. We also appraise ethical and legal considerations pertinent to omics data derived from European astronauts and spaceflight participants (SFPs). Ultimately, we propose that a routine omics collection program in spaceflight and analog environments presents a golden opportunity. Unlocking this bright future of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analyses and personalized medicine approaches will require further investigation into best practices, including policy design and standardization of omics data, metadata, and sampling methods., H.C., R.H., J.B., D.B., S.G., T.E., and N.J.S. are members of the ESA Space Omics Topical Team, funded by the ESA grant/contract 4000131202/20/NL/PG/pt “Space Omics: Towards an integrated ESA/NASA –omics database for spaceflight and ground facilities experiments” awarded to R.H., which was the main funding source for this work. H.C. is also supported by the Horizon Center for Doctoral Training at the University of Nottingham (UKRI grant no. EP/S023305/1). S.G. is supported by the Swedish Research Council VR grant 2020-04864. L.A.R. and M.M. represent the Omics Subgroup of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI funding group “Living in Space” and are supported by JP15K21745, JP20H03234, and 20F20382. L.A.R. is also supported by the JSPS postdoctoral fellowship P20382. We thank Dr. Sarah Castro-Wallace, the NASA GeneLab Animal AWG, ISSOP, ESA Space Omics Topical Team, ESA Personalized Medicine Topical Team, and Global Alliance for Genomic Health (GA4GH) for useful discussions.
Published: 2022

48. Space omics research in Europe: contributions, geographical distribution and ESA member state funding schemes

Author: Colleen S. Deane, Willian A. da Silveira, Raúl Herranz, Joseph Borg, Thomas Cahill, Eugénie Carnero-Diaz, Timothy Etheridge, Gary Hardiman, Natalie Leys, Pedro Madrigal, Aránzazu Manzano, Felice Mastroleo, F. Javier Medina, Manuel A. Fernandez-Rojo, Keith Siew, Nathaniel J. Szewczyk, Alicia Villacampa, Stephen B. Walsh, Silvio Weging, Daniela Bezdan, Stefania Giacomello, European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Medical Research Council (UK), Comunidad de Madrid, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Swedish Research Council, Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (France), Wellcome Trust, Deane, Colleen S. [0000-0002-2281-6479], Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie [0000-0002-3771-3106], Etheridge,Timothy [0000-0002-3588-8711], Hardiman, Gary [0000-0003-4558-0400], Leys, Natalie [0000-0002-4556-5211], Madrigal, Pedro [0000-0003-1959-8199], Manzano, Aranzazu [0000-0002-0150-0803], Mastroleo, Felice [0000-0002-9815-8038], Medina, F. Javier [0000-0002-0866-7710], Fernández-Rojo, Manuel A. [0000-0002-2240-1951], Siew, Keith [0000-0002-6502-5095], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Villacampa, Alicia [0000-0002-7398-8545], Walsh, Stephen B. [0000-0002-8693-1353], Weging, Silvio [0000-0002-8484-4352], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Da Silveira, William A. [0000-0001-6370-2884], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Deane, Colleen S., Carnero-Díaz, Eugénie, Etheridge,Timothy, Hardiman, Gary, Leys, Natalie, Madrigal, Pedro, Manzano, Aranzazu, Mastroleo, Felice, Medina, F. Javier, Fernández-Rojo, Manuel A., Siew, Keith, Szewczyk, Nathaniel, Villacampa, Alicia, Walsh, Stephen B., Weging, Silvio, Bezdan, Daniela, Giacomello, Stefania, Da Silveira, William A., Herranz, Raúl, and Space Omics Topical Team
Subjects: Space flight, Space sciences -- International cooperation, Multidisciplinary, Outer space -- Exploration -- Europe, Space sciences, Omics, Space medicine, Astrobiology, General, European Space Agency, International Space Station, Space biology -- Research
Abstract: 18 p.-3 fig.-1 graph. abst., The European research community, via European Space Agency (ESA) spaceflight opportunities, has significantly contributed towards our current understanding of spaceflight biology. Recent molecular biology experiments include “omic” analysis, which provides a holistic and systems level understanding of the mechanisms underlying phenotypic adaptation. Despite vast interest in, and the immense quantity of biological information gained from space omics research, the knowledge of ESA-related space omics works as a collective remains poorly defined due to the recent exponential application of omics approaches in space and the limited search capabilities of pre-existing records. Thus, a review of such contributions is necessary to clarify and promote the development of space omics among ESA and ESA state members. To address this gap, in this review we: i) identified and summarised omics works led by European researchers, ii) geographically described these omics works, and iii) highlighted potential caveats in complex funding scenarios among ESA member states., All listed authors are members of the ESA Space Omics Topical Team, funded by the ESA grant/contract 4000131202/20/NL/PG/pt “Space Omics: Towards an integrated ESA/NASA –omics database for spaceflight and ground facilities experiments” awarded to RH, which was the main funding source for this work. Individual authors also acknowledge support from: the Medical Research Council part of a Skills Development Fellowship [grant number MR/T026014/1] awarded to CSD; the Spanish CAM TALENTO program project 2020-5A_BIO-19724 to MAFR; the Spanish Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Desarrollo Tecnológico Grant RTI2018-099309-B-I00 to FJM, the Swedish Research Council VR grant 2020-04864 to SG and the French Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales grant DAR 2020-4800001004, 2021-4800001117 to ECD. This research was also funded in part by the Wellcome Trust [110182/Z/15/Z] to KS.
Published: 2022

49. Limits of life at spaceflight conditions: survival of lichens to simulated microgravity

Author: De la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Bassy, Olga, Ortega García, M. V., Sancho, Leopoldo G., Villasante, Adela, Del Olmo, Javier, De Vera, Jean-Pierre, Herranz, Raúl, De la Torre Noetzel, Rosa [0000-0003-2394-0268], Bassy, Olga [0000-0002-0554-8601], Ortega García, M. V. [0000-0002-6948-9591], Sancho, Leopoldo G. [0000-0002-4751-7475], De Vera, Jean-Pierre [0000-0002-9530-5821], Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], De la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Bassy, Olga, Ortega García, M. V., Sancho, Leopoldo G., De Vera, Jean-Pierre, and Herranz, Raúl
Abstract: Europlanet Science Congress 2022.Palacio de Congresos de Granada, Spain 18-23 September 2022, The search for extraterrestrial life and finding habitable environments on other planets and satellites like Mars, Europa, Enceladus and Titan are a priority of NASA and ESA, since the last decade. To contribute to these highly significant challenges, research has been done with established exposure platforms like those on the Foton satellite and EXPOSE on the ISS expanding now to ESA’s platform Bartolomeo. These were used to expose samples to space vacuum and space radiation, but also to provide gas supply and selected planetary radiation environments. Results obtained by these experiments have allowed to get supplemental knowledge necessary for supporting future investigations to search for life in the universe. Several extremophile lichen species, have been exposed to extraterrestrial environments, i.e. space- and Mars like parameters, during short and long periods on board of ESA’s space missions (Foton M2 and M3, EXPOSE E and R2) to investigate the limits of terrestrial life. To maximize the scientific outcome of these experiments, LICHENS [1], LITHOPANSPERMIA [2], LIFE [3], and BIOMEX [4], a common elaboration and analysis of the results obtained on analogue field studies with results obtained in planetary simulation facilities was necessary to check the survival potential and vitality of the samples before flight. Tests and experiments at different simulation facilities at DLR, and at INTA, included the exposure to space vacuum, space UV radiation and space cosmic radiation, and to Mars-like environment, i.e. Mars atmospheric composition and pressure, as well as Mars UV radiation. Not microgravity or reduced gravity, which is present in space and on Mars, was tried. Here we show the results of the resistance of two extremophile vagrant lichen species, Xanthoparmelia hueana and Circinaria gyrosa, to simulated microgravity (rotation speed of clinostate: 1 rpm) using the UNZIP clinostate at CIB-CSIC (Centro Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas). This is the first time that lichens will be exposed to weightlessness environment in an attempt to isolate the potential contribution of microgravity from other extraterrestrial factors (radiation, vacuum). Combinations of simulated spaceflight conditions, including microgravity, will be necessary to check how this parameter affects the biomolecular level of lichens and their microbiome.
Published: 2022

50. Building the Space Omics Topical Team to boost European space researchers’ role in the international consortia redefining spaceflight-generated datasets

Author: Raúl Herranz, Willian da Silveira, Daniela Bezdan, Stefania Giacomello, Nathaniel Szewczyk, Herranz, Raúl [0000-0002-0246-9449], Da Silveira, William A. [0000-0001-6370-2884], Bezdan, Daniela [0000-0002-1203-8239], Giacomello, Stefania [0000-0003-0738-1574], Szewczyk, Nathaniel [0000-0003-4425-9746], Herranz, Raúl, Da Silveira, William A., Bezdan, Daniela, Giacomello, Stefania, and Szewczyk, Nathaniel
Subjects: Multidisciplinary
Abstract: 4 p., In a broadening and more competitive space exploration landscape, playing at scale is necessary to obtain results. European researchers share their lessons learned on growing a research program where omics techniques can feed new knowledge, both fundamental and practical, for space exploration. Sending people to new space destinations will require interdisciplinary research centered around omics and personalized medicine, with added constraints of low-gravity and high-radiation environments.
Published: 2022

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