Friday, October 20, 2006
Ground Foyer ( Houston Westchase Marriott Hotel)
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Regulation of Stress Genes in Analog Microgravity

Elise Nguyen, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX

Elise T. Nguyen1, Kamaleshwar Singh2, Bobby Wilson3, and Alamelu Sundaresan4 1Space and Environment Science Internship Program (SESIP), Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas, 77004 2Department of Biology, Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas, 77004 3Environmental Research Technology Transfer Center (ERT2C), Texas Southern University, Houston Texas, 77004 4Department of Biology, Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas, 77004

Human cells work interdependently in the body to maintain homeostasis. In a microgravity environment, cells and tissues directly respond to the decrease in gravity and reorder. This results in forced changes in cellular organization. Studies in the laboratory have shown that lymphocyte activation and locomotion are impaired in microgravity. Human lymphocytes react to alter gravitational conditions through cellular signaling and altered gene expression. HSP70 and HSP90 are two human stress genes which participate in optimal lymphocyte function. It is important to understand and identify how these genes behave in a microgravity environment. They provide an inherent protection mechanism from adversity in the human body. Optimal immune function is critical in the transition from terrestrial to the extraterrestrial in the exploration era where long-term space travel is inevitable. Results found in heat shock protein expression in analog microgravity indicate a deviation in the classic adaptation response. Research could lead to identification of a blueprint stress response suite specific to microgravity. This could also be useful to assess health of a particular tissue and overall health of crew members.