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T0187-S

Evaluation of Gravity Sensing Mechanisms in Tissue-Engineered Skeletal Muscle

PI: Peter Lee, Ohio State University

It is well know that extended spaceflight causes significant skeletal muscle atrophy in astronauts. However, the mechanisms that drive this process are not well understood. Previous experiments have shown that spaceflight leads to atrophy in isolated tissue engineered skeletal muscle. We do not know how muscle tissues sense the microgravity environment leading to the muscle atrophy. This educational project intends to fly miniaturized tissue-engineered skeletal muscle constructs on a suborbital reusable launch vehicle and measure real-time passive and active force production. Additionally, these tissues will be fixed with RNAlater at the end of the microgravity period to determine the differential expression of key genes when compared to ground controls. After the flight, the tissues will be processed for functional and gene expression analysis.

Technology Areas (?)
  • TA06 Human Health, Life Support and Habitation Systems
Technology Maturation

No additional information

Technology Details

  • Selection Date
    USIP-15 (Apr 2016)
  • Program Status
    Active
  • Current TRL (?)
    Unknown
    Successful FOP Flights
  • 1 sRLV

Development Team

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