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Project Title:  Multi-Generational Genome-Wide Yeast Fitness Profiling Beyond and Below Earth's van Allen Belts Reduce
Images: icon  Fiscal Year: FY 2023 
Division: Space Biology 
Research Discipline/Element:
Space Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology  
Start Date: 05/01/2019  
End Date: 04/29/2024  
Task Last Updated: 05/01/2023 
Download report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Zea, Luis  Ph.D. / University of Colorado, Boulder 
Address:  Aerospace Engineering Sciences 
429 Ucb, ECAE 1B02 
Boulder , CO 80309-0429 
Email: Luis.Zea@Colorado.edu 
Phone: 407-242-2885  
Congressional District:
Web:  
Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: University of Colorado, Boulder 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Stodieck, Louis  Ph.D. University of Colorado, Boulder 
Nislow, Corey  Ph.D. University of British Columbia, Canada 
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. 80NSSC19K0708 
Responsible Center: NASA KSC 
Grant Monitor: Freeland, Denise  
Center Contact: 321-867-5878 
Denise.E.Freeland@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 12344 
Solicitation / Funding Source: 2018 Space Biology (ROSBio) NNH18ZTT001N-Artemis1 (EM1). App A: Orion (Artemis-1) (formerly Exploration Mission-1) 
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC19K0708 
Project Type: FLIGHT 
Flight Program:  
No. of Post Docs:
No. of PhD Candidates:
No. of Master's Candidates:
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:
No. of PhD Degrees:
No. of Master's Degrees:
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:
Space Biology Element: (1) Cell & Molecular Biology
Space Biology Cross-Element Discipline: None
Space Biology Special Category: None
Flight Assignment/Project Notes: NOTE: End date changed to 04/29/2024 per NSSC information (Ed., 5/31/23)

NOTE: End date changed to 04/30/2023 per NSSC information (Ed., 4/12/23)

Task Description: As human space exploration expands beyond lower Earth orbit, it is necessary to characterize the effects of space radiation, microgravity, and the combination thereof on cells. Because it is complicated to have large sample numbers when studying the effects of different factors on humans, scientists commonly use model organisms that share some of the key aspects being studied. In this case, we will use yeast, as around 70% of its essential genes have a significant human homolog. More specifically, this project will use a molecularly barcoded yeast genome-wide knockdown collection that will enable the systematic interrogation of the effect of microgravity, space radiation, and a combination thereof in each gene. Each strain in the collection has a single gene deleted and a representative molecular barcode that enables quantifying the fitness of each mutant under the test conditions, by measuring the relative abundance at different points in time. To differentiate the effects of microgravity and space radiation on each strain, an experimental set will be flown beyond the van Allen belts on Orion’s Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) (considered in microgravity and irradiated by space radiation) and equivalent sets will be cultured asynchronously on board the International Space Station (ISS) (considered in microgravity but mostly – although not completely – protected of space radiation by the van Allen belts) in our smart incubator (Space Automated Bioproduct Lab (SABL)) and on Earth (also in a ground SABL). Each of the ISS and Earth experiments will include two sets: one where the temperature profile experienced during the EM-1 flight is replicated, and a second cultured at a constant temperature to determine the potential role of temperature variation on the results from EM-1.

The first aim of this project is to identify the metabolic and genomic pathways in yeast affected by microgravity, space radiation, and a combination of both. The second one is to differentiate between gravity and radiation exposure on single-gene deletion mutants’ ability to thrive in the spaceflight environment. We hypothesize that mutants lacking genes associated with DNA repair, recombination, and replication will have lower survivability rates beyond the van Allen belts than their below van Allen belts- or Earth-controls

The experiment is designed to have a controlled start after Orion is past the van Allen belts, grow ~21 generations of the deletion series, and fix or preserve samples for post-flight analyses. Should the automated controlled approach be considered inappropriate for implementation on EM-1, we have a passive approach that is based on dotting each mutant individually on agar. We have performed both approaches in space in the past.

This project will address three Space Biology Program Science Elements, three Objectives, three Guiding Questions, and four Decadal Survey’s highest priority Recommendations by preserving nucleic acids of different generations of the yeast deletion series cultures grown in space, beyond as well as below the van Allen belts (and uploading the genomic and transcriptomic data to GeneLab).

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: This project integrates data on the molecular and cellular mechanism of radiation damage, which can serve to improve prediction of risk of cancer as a function of radiation dosage and to evaluate the effectiveness of potential countermeasures.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2023 
Task Progress: 1. PLASM was modified to include more AA batteries, hence extending how long the experiment can remain viable between pre-flight integration and experiment performance in space. 2. The new configuration of PLASM was tested and verified functional and ready for flight. 3. PLASM was integrated at NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and handed over to NASA for launch. 4. After a couple of Space Launch System (SLS) launch scrubs, NASA kindly handed PLASM back to us. 5. PLASM was refreshed (batteries, science, and otherwise) and handed over again to NASA. 6. SLS launched and Orion successfully completed its mission. 7. Orion splashed down back to Earth. 8. Samples were received from NASA. 9. Full (100%) functionality of the flight hardware developed for this project (PLASM) during the Artemis I flight was confirmed. 10. Culture growth was confirmed in 12 out of the 12 samples. 11. No contamination measured in any of the 12 samples. 12. Data acquisition and analysis has begun. 13. Performance of ground controls has begun.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 03/05/2024) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals Zea L, Piper SS, Gaikani H, Khoshnoodi M, Niederwieser T, Hoehn A, Grusin M, Wright J, Flores P, Wilson K, Lutsic A, Stodieck L, Carr CE, Moeller R, Nislow C. "Experiment verification test of the Artemis I 'Deep Space Radiation Genomics' experiment." Acta Astronaut. 2022 Sep;198:702-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.06.018 , Sep-2022
Books/Book Chapters Pathak Y, Araújo dos Santos M, Zea L. (Eds.) "Handbook of Space Pharmaceuticals." Cham, Switerland: Springer, 2022. 978-3-31-950909-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50909-9 , Jan-2022
Project Title:  Multi-Generational Genome-Wide Yeast Fitness Profiling Beyond and Below Earth's van Allen Belts Reduce
Images: icon  Fiscal Year: FY 2022 
Division: Space Biology 
Research Discipline/Element:
Space Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology  
Start Date: 05/01/2019  
End Date: 04/30/2022  
Task Last Updated: 03/01/2022 
Download report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Zea, Luis  Ph.D. / University of Colorado, Boulder 
Address:  Aerospace Engineering Sciences 
429 Ucb, ECAE 1B02 
Boulder , CO 80309-0429 
Email: Luis.Zea@Colorado.edu 
Phone: 407-242-2885  
Congressional District:
Web:  
Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: University of Colorado, Boulder 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Stodieck, Louis  Ph.D. University of Colorado, Boulder 
Nislow, Corey  Ph.D. University of British Columbia, Canada 
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. 80NSSC19K0708 
Responsible Center: NASA KSC 
Grant Monitor: Freeland, Denise  
Center Contact: 321-867-5878 
Denise.E.Freeland@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 12344 
Solicitation / Funding Source: 2018 Space Biology (ROSBio) NNH18ZTT001N-Artemis1 (EM1). App A: Orion (Artemis-1) (formerly Exploration Mission-1) 
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC19K0708 
Project Type: FLIGHT 
Flight Program:  
No. of Post Docs:
No. of PhD Candidates:
No. of Master's Candidates:
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:
No. of PhD Degrees:
No. of Master's Degrees:
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:
Space Biology Element: (1) Cell & Molecular Biology
Space Biology Cross-Element Discipline: None
Space Biology Special Category: None
Task Description: As human space exploration expands beyond lower Earth orbit, it is necessary to characterize the effects of space radiation, microgravity, and the combination thereof on cells. Because it is complicated to have large sample numbers when studying the effects of different factors on humans, scientists commonly use model organisms that share some of the key aspects being studied. In this case, we will use yeast, as around 70% of its essential genes have a significant human homolog. More specifically, this project will use a molecularly barcoded yeast genome-wide knockdown collection that will enable the systematic interrogation of the effect of microgravity, space radiation, and a combination thereof in each gene. Each strain in the collection has a single gene deleted and a representative molecular barcode that enables quantifying the fitness of each mutant under the test conditions, by measuring the relative abundance at different points in time. To differentiate the effects of microgravity and space radiation on each strain, an experimental set will be flown beyond the van Allen belts on Orion’s Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) (considered in microgravity and irradiated by space radiation) and equivalent sets will be cultured asynchronously on board the International Space Station (ISS) (considered in microgravity but mostly – although not completely – protected of space radiation by the van Allen belts) in our smart incubator (Space Automated Bioproduct Lab (SABL)) and on Earth (also in a ground SABL). Each of the ISS and Earth experiments will include two sets: one where the temperature profile experienced during the EM-1 flight is replicated, and a second cultured at a constant temperature to determine the potential role of temperature variation on the results from EM-1.

The first aim of this project is to identify the metabolic and genomic pathways in yeast affected by microgravity, space radiation, and a combination of both. The second one is to differentiate between gravity and radiation exposure on single-gene deletion mutants’ ability to thrive in the spaceflight environment. We hypothesize that mutants lacking genes associated with DNA repair, recombination, and replication will have lower survivability rates beyond the van Allen belts than their below van Allen belts- or Earth-controls

The experiment is designed to have a controlled start after Orion is past the van Allen belts, grow ~21 generations of the deletion series, and fix or preserve samples for post-flight analyses. Should the automated controlled approach be considered inappropriate for implementation on EM-1, we have a passive approach that is based on dotting each mutant individually on agar. We have performed both approaches in space in the past.

This project will address three Space Biology Program Science Elements, three Objectives, three Guiding Questions, and four Decadal Survey’s highest priority Recommendations by preserving nucleic acids of different generations of the yeast deletion series cultures grown in space, beyond as well as below the van Allen belts (and uploading the genomic and transcriptomic data to GeneLab).

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: This project integrates data on the molecular and cellular mechanism of radiation damage, which can serve to improve prediction of risk of cancer as a function of radiation dosage and to evaluate the effectiveness of potential countermeasures.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2022 
Task Progress: 1. Flight units of Peristaltic Laboratory for Automated Science with Multigenerations (PLASM) were developed and completed.

2. All PLASM units tested under Artemis I-like mission profile for further battery characterization.

3. The Deep Space Radiation Genomics (DSRG) Experiment Verification Test (EVT) results were presented in three conferences; our code to determine Orion’s position with respect to Earth’s magnetosphere was released in GitHub for open access; and a book was published, partly supported by this grant.

4. SRFR with NASA Headquarters (HQ) passed and team is ready for Space Launch System (SLS) launch.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 03/05/2024) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Zea L, Piper S, Gaikani H, Khoshnoodi M, Niederwieser T, Hoehn A, Grusin M, Wright J, Flores P, Wilson K, Lutsic A, Stodieck L, Carr CE, Moeller R, Nislow C. "Experiment verification test of the Artemis I 'Deep Space Radiation Genomics' Experiment." 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 25-29, 2021.

Abstracts. 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 25-29, 2021 (Abstract #IAC-21.A2.7.1 x65012). , Oct-2021

Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Zea L, Nislow C. "First controlled biological experiments beyond the van Allen belts." American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Rocky Mountain Chapter Annual Technical Symposium, Boulder, Colorado, September 29, 2021.

Abstracts. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Rocky Mountain Chapter Annual Technical Symposium, Boulder, Colorado, September 29, 2021. , Sep-2021

Books/Book Chapters Pathak Y, Araújo dos Santos M, Zea L. (Eds.) "Handbook of Space Pharmaceuticals." Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50909-9 , Jun-2022
Papers from Meeting Proceedings Zea L, Niederwieser T, Hoehn A, Grusin M, Wright J, Stanish G, Piper S, Flores P, Griffith R, Gaikani H, Khoshnoodi M, Siems K, Cortesao M, Wahl K Bernstein V, Knipp D, Wilson K, Scott K, Lutsic A, Soler M, Sato K, Viau A, Aragon R, Stodieck L, Countryman S, Carr CE, Moeller R, Nislow C. "From idea to lunar orbit flight readiness - implementation of the Artemis I 'Deep Space Radiation Genomics' (DSRG) Yeast Experiment." 37th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Baltimore, MD, November 3-6, 2021.

Abstracts. 37th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Baltimore, MD, November 3-6, 2021. , Nov-2021

Project Title:  Multi-Generational Genome-Wide Yeast Fitness Profiling Beyond and Below Earth's van Allen Belts Reduce
Images: icon  Fiscal Year: FY 2021 
Division: Space Biology 
Research Discipline/Element:
Space Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology  
Start Date: 05/01/2019  
End Date: 04/30/2022  
Task Last Updated: 03/02/2021 
Download report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Zea, Luis  Ph.D. / University of Colorado, Boulder 
Address:  Aerospace Engineering Sciences 
429 Ucb, ECAE 1B02 
Boulder , CO 80309-0429 
Email: Luis.Zea@Colorado.edu 
Phone: 407-242-2885  
Congressional District:
Web:  
Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: University of Colorado, Boulder 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Stodieck, Louis  Ph.D. University of Colorado, Boulder 
Nislow, Corey  Ph.D. University of British Columbia, Canada 
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. 80NSSC19K0708 
Responsible Center: NASA KSC 
Grant Monitor: Freeland, Denise  
Center Contact: 321-867-5878 
Denise.E.Freeland@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 12344 
Solicitation / Funding Source: 2018 Space Biology (ROSBio) NNH18ZTT001N-Artemis1 (EM1). App A: Orion (Artemis-1) (formerly Exploration Mission-1) 
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC19K0708 
Project Type: FLIGHT 
Flight Program:  
No. of Post Docs:
No. of PhD Candidates:
No. of Master's Candidates:
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:
No. of PhD Degrees:
No. of Master's Degrees:
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:
Space Biology Element: (1) Cell & Molecular Biology
Space Biology Cross-Element Discipline: None
Space Biology Special Category: None
Task Description: As human space exploration expands beyond lower Earth orbit, it is necessary to characterize the effects of space radiation, microgravity, and the combination thereof on cells. Because it is complicated to have large sample numbers when studying the effects of different factors on humans, scientists commonly use model organisms that share some of the key aspects being studied. In this case, we will use yeast, as around 70% of its essential genes have a significant human homolog. More specifically, this project will use a molecularly barcoded yeast genome-wide knockdown collection that will enable the systematic interrogation of the effect of microgravity, space radiation, and a combination thereof in each gene. Each strain in the collection has a single gene deleted and a representative molecular barcode that enables quantifying the fitness of each mutant under the test conditions, by measuring the relative abundance at different points in time. To differentiate the effects of microgravity and space radiation on each strain, an experimental set will be flown beyond the van Allen belts on Orion’s Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) (considered in microgravity and irradiated by space radiation) and equivalent sets will be cultured asynchronously on board the International Space Station (ISS) (considered in microgravity but mostly – although not completely – protected of space radiation by the van Allen belts) in our smart incubator (Space Automated Bioproduct Lab (SABL)) and on Earth (also in a ground SABL). Each of the ISS and Earth experiments will include two sets: one where the temperature profile experienced during the EM-1 flight is replicated, and a second cultured at a constant temperature to determine the potential role of temperature variation on the results from EM-1.

The first aim of this project is to identify the metabolic and genomic pathways in yeast affected by microgravity, space radiation, and a combination of both. The second one is to differentiate between gravity and radiation exposure on single-gene deletion mutants’ ability to thrive in the spaceflight environment. We hypothesize that mutants lacking genes associated with DNA repair, recombination, and replication will have lower survivability rates beyond the van Allen belts than their below van Allen belts- or Earth-controls

The experiment is designed to have a controlled start after Orion is past the van Allen belts, grow ~21 generations of the deletion series, and fix or preserve samples for post-flight analyses. Should the automated controlled approach be considered inappropriate for implementation on EM-1, we have a passive approach that is based on dotting each mutant individually on agar. We have performed both approaches in space in the past.

This project will address three Space Biology Program Science Elements, three Objectives, three Guiding Questions, and four Decadal Survey’s highest priority Recommendations by preserving nucleic acids of different generations of the yeast deletion series cultures grown in space, beyond as well as below the van Allen belts (and uploading the genomic and transcriptomic data to GeneLab).

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: This project integrates data on the molecular and cellular mechanism of radiation damage, which can serve to improve prediction of risk of cancer as a function of radiation dosage and to evaluate the effectiveness of potential countermeasures.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2021 
Task Progress: 1. The experiment’s Science Verification Test (SVT) was completed

2. A new hardware subsystem for temperature control was designed, developed, tested, and integrated

3. The Deep Space Radiation Genomics (DSRG) Experiment Verification Test (EVT) was completed, yielding “excellent” score under all of the mission success criteria

Other hardware and protocol work performed during this project’s second year include:

• Peristaltic pump characterization (flow and power consumption as function of operational duration)

• Characterization of metabolic pressure inside Culture Bags as function of time and environmental temperature

• Optimization of the Culture Bag sealing procedure

• Optimization of the Fluidic System assembly, sterilization, loading, and acceptance testing procedure

• Data production for Safety Review 0/I/II

• Production of all structural parts for all five Peristaltic Laboratory for Automated Science with Multigenerations (PLASM) units

• HFIT buy-in for the ISS units

• Flight-like software development

• Integrated software and accelerometer testing to verify our software architecture can detect launch and autonomously activate the experiment passed the Van Allen belts

• Development of a python code yielding a timetable to let PLASM know when can it activate the experiment, to ensure yeast growth occurs outside of Earth’s magnetosphere, hence exposing the cells to the most pristine deep space radiation environment possible (i.e., not confounded by our magnetosphere).

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 03/05/2024) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
 None in FY 2021
Project Title:  Multi-Generational Genome-Wide Yeast Fitness Profiling Beyond and Below Earth's van Allen Belts Reduce
Images: icon  Fiscal Year: FY 2020 
Division: Space Biology 
Research Discipline/Element:
Space Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology  
Start Date: 05/01/2019  
End Date: 04/30/2022  
Task Last Updated: 02/28/2020 
Download report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Zea, Luis  Ph.D. / University of Colorado, Boulder 
Address:  Aerospace Engineering Sciences 
429 Ucb, ECAE 1B02 
Boulder , CO 80309-0429 
Email: Luis.Zea@Colorado.edu 
Phone: 407-242-2885  
Congressional District:
Web:  
Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: University of Colorado, Boulder 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Stodieck, Louis  Ph.D. University of Colorado, Boulder 
Nislow, Corey  Ph.D. University of British Columbia, Canada 
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. 80NSSC19K0708 
Responsible Center: NASA KSC 
Grant Monitor: Freeland, Denise  
Center Contact: 321-867-5878 
Denise.E.Freeland@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 12344 
Solicitation / Funding Source: 2018 Space Biology (ROSBio) NNH18ZTT001N-Artemis1 (EM1). App A: Orion (Artemis-1) (formerly Exploration Mission-1) 
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC19K0708 
Project Type: FLIGHT 
Flight Program:  
No. of Post Docs:
No. of PhD Candidates:
No. of Master's Candidates:
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:
No. of PhD Degrees:
No. of Master's Degrees:
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:
Space Biology Element: (1) Cell & Molecular Biology
Space Biology Cross-Element Discipline: None
Space Biology Special Category: None
Task Description: As human space exploration expands beyond lower Earth orbit, it is necessary to characterize the effects of space radiation, microgravity, and the combination thereof on cells. Because it is complicated to have large sample numbers when studying the effects of different factors on humans, scientists commonly use model organisms that share some of the key aspects being studied. In this case, we will use yeast, as around 70% of its essential genes have a significant human homolog. More specifically, this project will use a molecularly barcoded yeast genome-wide knockdown collection that will enable the systematic interrogation of the effect of microgravity, space radiation, and a combination thereof in each gene. Each strain in the collection has a single gene deleted and a representative molecular barcode that enables quantifying the fitness of each mutant under the test conditions, by measuring the relative abundance at different points in time. To differentiate the effects of microgravity and space radiation on each strain, an experimental set will be flown beyond the van Allen belts on Orion’s Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) (considered in microgravity and irradiated by space radiation) and equivalent sets will be cultured asynchronously on board the International Space Station (ISS) (considered in microgravity but mostly – although not completely – protected of space radiation by the van Allen belts) in our smart incubator (Space Automated Bioproduct Lab (SABL)) and on Earth (also in a ground SABL). Each of the ISS and Earth experiments will include two sets: one where the temperature profile experienced during the EM-1 flight is replicated, and a second cultured at a constant temperature to determine the potential role of temperature variation on the results from EM-1.

The first aim of this project is to identify the metabolic and genomic pathways in yeast affected by microgravity, space radiation, and a combination of both. The second one is to differentiate between gravity and radiation exposure on single-gene deletion mutants’ ability to thrive in the spaceflight environment. We hypothesize that mutants lacking genes associated with DNA repair, recombination, and replication will have lower survivability rates beyond the van Allen belts than their below van Allen belts- or Earth-controls

The experiment is designed to have a controlled start after Orion is past the van Allen belts, grow ~21 generations of the deletion series, and fix or preserve samples for post-flight analyses. Should the automated controlled approach be considered inappropriate for implementation on EM-1, we have a passive approach that is based on dotting each mutant individually on agar. We have performed both approaches in space in the past.

This project will address three Space Biology Program Science Elements, three Objectives, three Guiding Questions, and four Decadal Survey’s highest priority Recommendations by preserving nucleic acids of different generations of the yeast deletion series cultures grown in space, beyond as well as below the van Allen belts (and uploading the genomic and transcriptomic data to GeneLab).

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: This project integrates data on the molecular and cellular mechanism of radiation damage, which can serve to improve prediction of risk of cancer as a function of radiation dosage and to evaluate the effectiveness of potential countermeasures.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2020 
Task Progress: 1. The design of this project’s hardware, Peristaltic Laboratory for Automated Science with Multigenerations (PLASM), matured enough to hold a Critical Design Review (CDR). After that, all of the constituent parts of PLASM have been manufactured and ordered, and are now available for integration and testing.

2. Two irradiation campaigns have taken place to provide data on what may we expect from the Artemis 1 mission, further verifying the validity of our experimental design. Additionally, a 69-day long Science Verification Test (SVT) is currently ongoing and already showing effective yeast growth in flight-like hardware.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 03/05/2024) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Breaux S, Fuchs F, Cortesao M, Siems K, Stodieck L, Niederwieser T, Zea L, Carr CE, Moeller R, Nislow C. "Irradiation Ground Control for a Genome-Wide Yeast Fitness Profiling Experiment On Board Orion’s Artemis 1 Mission." 35th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Denver, CO, November 20-23, 2019.

Abstracts. 35th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Denver, CO, November 20-23, 2019. , Nov-2019

Papers from Meeting Proceedings Zea L, Niederwieser T, Stodieck L, Carr C, Moeller R, Nislow C. "Experiment Design for a Genome-Wide Yeast Fitness Profiling Experiment On Board Orion’s Artemis 1 Mission." 70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Washington, DC, October 21-25, 2019.

70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Washington, DC, October 21-25, 2019. Paper IAC-19-A2.7.9x51501. , Oct-2019

Project Title:  Multi-Generational Genome-Wide Yeast Fitness Profiling Beyond and Below Earth's van Allen Belts Reduce
Images: icon  Fiscal Year: FY 2019 
Division: Space Biology 
Research Discipline/Element:
Space Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology  
Start Date: 05/01/2019  
End Date: 04/30/2022  
Task Last Updated: 05/13/2019 
Download report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Zea, Luis  Ph.D. / University of Colorado, Boulder 
Address:  Aerospace Engineering Sciences 
429 Ucb, ECAE 1B02 
Boulder , CO 80309-0429 
Email: Luis.Zea@Colorado.edu 
Phone: 407-242-2885  
Congressional District:
Web:  
Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: University of Colorado, Boulder 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Stodieck, Louis  Ph.D. University of Colorado, Boulder 
Nislow, Corey  Ph.D. University of British Columbia, Canada 
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. 80NSSC19K0708 
Responsible Center: NASA KSC 
Grant Monitor: Freeland, Denise  
Center Contact: 321-867-5878 
Denise.E.Freeland@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 12344 
Solicitation / Funding Source: 2018 Space Biology (ROSBio) NNH18ZTT001N-Artemis1 (EM1). App A: Orion (Artemis-1) (formerly Exploration Mission-1) 
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC19K0708 
Project Type: FLIGHT 
Flight Program:  
No. of Post Docs:  
No. of PhD Candidates:  
No. of Master's Candidates:  
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:  
No. of PhD Degrees:  
No. of Master's Degrees:  
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:  
Space Biology Element: (1) Cell & Molecular Biology
Space Biology Cross-Element Discipline: None
Space Biology Special Category: None
Task Description: As human space exploration expands beyond lower Earth orbit, it is necessary to characterize the effects of space radiation, microgravity, and the combination thereof on cells. Because it is complicated to have large sample numbers when studying the effects of different factors on humans, scientists commonly use model organisms that share some of the key aspects being studied. In this case, we will use yeast, as around 70% of its essential genes have a significant human homolog. More specifically, this project will use a molecularly barcoded yeast genome-wide knockdown collection that will enable the systematic interrogation of the effect of microgravity, space radiation, and a combination thereof in each gene. Each strain in the collection has a single gene deleted and a representative molecular barcode that enables quantifying the fitness of each mutant under the test conditions, by measuring the relative abundance at different points in time. To differentiate the effects of microgravity and space radiation on each strain, an experimental set will be flown beyond the van Allen belts on Orion’s Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) (considered in microgravity and irradiated by space radiation) and equivalent sets will be cultured asynchronously on board the International Space Station (ISS) (considered in microgravity but mostly – although not completely – protected of space radiation by the van Allen belts) in our smart incubator (Space Automated Bioproduct Lab (SABL)) and on Earth (also in a ground SABL). Each of the ISS and Earth experiments will include two sets: one where the temperature profile experienced during the EM-1 flight is replicated, and a second cultured at a constant temperature to determine the potential role of temperature variation on the results from EM-1.

The first aim of this project is to identify the metabolic and genomic pathways in yeast affected by microgravity, space radiation, and a combination of both. The second one is to differentiate between gravity and radiation exposure on single-gene deletion mutants’ ability to thrive in the spaceflight environment. We hypothesize that mutants lacking genes associated with DNA repair, recombination, and replication will have lower survivability rates beyond the van Allen belts than their below van Allen belts- or Earth-controls

The experiment is designed to have a controlled start after Orion is past the van Allen belts, grow ~21 generations of the deletion series, and fix or preserve samples for post-flight analyses. Should the automated controlled approach be considered inappropriate for implementation on EM-1, we have a passive approach that is based on dotting each mutant individually on agar. We have performed both approaches in space in the past.

This project will address three Space Biology Program Science Elements, three Objectives, three Guiding Questions, and four Decadal Survey’s highest priority Recommendations by preserving nucleic acids of different generations of the yeast deletion series cultures grown in space, beyond as well as below the van Allen belts (and uploading the genomic and transcriptomic data to GeneLab).

Research Impact/Earth Benefits:

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2019 
Task Progress: New project for FY2019.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 03/05/2024) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
 None in FY 2019