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Experiment Overview


Information provided courtesy of the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Brief Summary

Study on the Effect of Space Environment to Embryonic Stem Cells to Their Development (Stem Cells) examines the development of embryonic stem cells that have flown on the International Space Station (ISS). The cells are launched frozen and after returning to Earth are microinjected into mouse-8-cell embryos in order to analyze the influence of the space environment on the development and growth of adult mice. It is extremely important to estimate space radiation effects in order to defend the human body from those influences, especially the possibility of reproductive and developmental issues resulting from a long-term stay in space.

Principal Investigator(s)

Takashi Morita, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan

Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

Kayo Yoshida, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan

Developer(s)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Space Environment Utilization Center, Tsukuba, , Japan

Sponsoring Space Agency

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Sponsoring Organization

Information Pending

Research Benefits

Information Pending

ISS Expedition Duration:

September 2012 - September 2014

Expeditions Assigned

33/34,35/36,39/40

Previous ISS Missions

Information Pending

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Experiment Description

Research Overview

• Space has higher levels of cosmic radiation, including Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) and Solar Particle Events (SPE). Therefore, it is extremely important to estimate their effects to the organisms to forecast and defend the human body from those influences. Especially, possibility of reproduction and development in the space will be a serious problem considering a long-term stay in the space.



• We will analyze the sensitivity of ES cells to space radiation using colony formation. At the same time we can also detect the DNA double-strand break of ES cells after exposure to space radiation using antibody against to phosphorylated histone H2AX. From these experiments we can estimate the extent of space radiation in ISS. The ES cells will be microinjected and cultured in vitro. Their development can be followed by time-lapse microscope. The surviving chimeric embryos will be implanted to pseudo-pregnant mouse uterus and their birth will be examined. From these experiments, we can detect influence of the space radiation through generations.



• Our data obtained from mouse ES cells will be extrapolated to human embryos and will be used for protection of human body staying for long time in the space.

Description

The Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" has been built this year and manned missions to stay for a long time in International Space Station and visit to the Moon are now becoming realities. However, space is a place where the ionizing radiation including heavy ion beams are filled. So, it is extremely important to estimate their effects to the organisms to forecast and defend the human body from those influences. Especially, possibility of reproduction and development in the space will be a serious problem considering a long-term stay in the space.

Because, it is difficult to breed animals in the space to examine the influence of the space radiation and micro-gravity on the reproductive organs, we planned to launch the embryonic stem cell in the space by frozen condition. After returning to the ground, we will microinject the ES cells into mouse 8-cell embryos to develop and grow to adult mouse for analyzing the influence. Hardwares are Stem Cells Sample Case containing frozen ES Cells and Bio Dosimeter for radiation measurement.

We will analyze the sensitivity of ES cells to space radiation using colony formation. At the same time we can also detect the DNA double-strand break of ES cells after exposure to space radiation using antibody against to phosphorylated histone H2AX. From these experiments we can estimate the extent of space radiation in ISS. The ES cells will be microinjected and cultured in vitro. Their development can be followed by time-lapse microscope. The surviving chimeric embryos will be implanted to pseudo-pregnant mouse uterus and their birth will be examined. From these experiments, we can detect influence of the space radiation through generations.

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Applications

Space Applications

The results of this experiment obtained from mouse ES cells will be able to extrapolate to human embryos and will be used for protection of human body staying for long time in the space.

Earth Applications

The results of this experiment will give information to clarify the DNA repair gene response mechanism . The results of this experiment will give information to help assess safety long-term conservation and management of ES cells and iPS Cells for regenerative medicine.

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Operations

Operational Requirements

Cold Stowage requirement:Stem Cells Sample Case and Bio Dosimeter stored at -95C from launch to recovery. Please provide temperature data of Ascent, On-orbit (once a week) and Descent. 5min interval is preferable. Please stow Bio Dosimeter (not attached Stem Cells Sample Case) in Vial bag (3 X 5 mesh bag) on orbit.

Operational Protocols

Cells Sample Cases containing Mouse embryonic stem cells will be launched at -95C SpX-2. Bio Dosimeters (PADLES packages) will be launched and returned regularly by Soyuz or any vehicle for long-term radiation measurement. Stem Cells Sample Cases and Bio Dosimeters should be stored at -95C MELFI until return on Obit (for about (1) one month, (2) six months, (3) 12 months, (4) 24 months, (5) 36 months). Stem Cells Sample Cases should be returned one by one at -95C.

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Results/More Information

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Related Websites

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Imagery

Stem Cells Sample Case. Image courtesy of JAXA.
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A ?Stem Cells Sample Case? in a mock up of MELFI 1/2 box module. Image courtesy of JAXA.
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Cryo tubes in the Case. Image courtesy of JAXA.
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