Work

Multi-system responses to altered gravity and spaceflight: Insights from Drosophila melanogaster

Year: 2022

Type: review

Abstract: NASA is planning to resume human-crewed lunar missions and lay the foundation for human exploration to Mars. However, our knowledge of the overall effects of long-duration spaceflight on human physiology is limited. During spaceflight, astronauts are exposed to multiple risk factors, including gravitational changes, ionizing radiation, physiological stress, and altered circadian lighting. These factors contribute to pathophysiological responses that target different organ systems in the body. This review discusses the advancements in gravitational biology using Drosophila melanogaster, one of the first organisms to be launched into space. As a well-established spaceflight model organism, fruit flies have yielded significant information, including neurobehavioral, aging, immune, cardiovascular, developmental, and multi-omics changes across tissues and developmental stages, as detailed in this review.

Source: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104880

Authors: Janani Iyer, Siddhita D. Mhatre, Rachel Gilbert, Sharmila Bhattacharya

Institutions: Ames Research Center, Universities Space Research Association, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, University of New Mexico

Language: English

Topic: Spaceflight effects on biology

Subfield: Physiology (medical)

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,720