Spaceflight Mouse Physiology
Spaceflight Mouse Physiology - Related Videos
11:08
Exploring the Effects of Spaceflight on Mouse Physiology using the Open Access NASA GeneLab Platform
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Cited by 18 •
2019
The NASA GeneLab platform provides unfettered access to precious omics data from biological spaceflight experiments. We describe how a typical mouse experiment is conducted in space and how data from such experiments can be accessed and analyzed.
09:02
Building and Operating a Low-Cost Elevated Carbon Dioxide Growth Chamber to Evaluate Microgreen Physiology under Spaceflight-Relevant CO2 Levels
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2026
This protocol describes how to construct and operate a small, low-cost growth chamber capable of maintaining extreme carbon dioxide (exCO2) levels for plant experiments. The chamber enables reproducible studies of microgreen physiology under spaceflight-relevant atmospheric conditions, using a single-board computer-based monitoring and control system and a passive hydroponic wicking system.
11:02
Isolation and Physiological Analysis of Mouse Cardiomyocytes
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Cited by 25 •
2014
Individual cardiomyocytes from wild type and mutant mice can be isolated from the heart in order to study their contractility and calcium transients. This allows characterization of the contribution of cellular dysfunction to heart dysfunction from any cause.
05:15
Noninvasive Intratracheal Intubation to Study the Pathology and Physiology of Mouse Lung
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Cited by 22 •
2013
The use of a model that mimics the condition of lung diseases in humans is critical for studying the pathophysiology and/or etiology of a particular disease and for developing therapeutic intervention. Here a noninvasive intratracheal intubation method that can directly deliver exogenous materials to mouse lungs is presented.
05:33
Physiology of the Circulatory System - Concepts
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2019
Homeostasis Conditions in the external environment of an organism can change rapidly and drastically. To survive, organisms must maintain a fairly constant internal environment, which involves continuous regulation of temperature, pH, and other factors. This balanced state is known as homeostasis, which describes the processes by which organisms maintain their optimal internal conditions. To maintain homeostasis, organisms have developed structures with distinct functions. Physiology is the...
FAQs
Microgravity changes the mechanical loading experienced by the body, which can influence bone remodeling and muscle maintenance. These effects provide a physiological readout of how reduced loading alters tissue regulation. Examining both systems helps researchers identify biological responses that may be relevant to organismal adaptation during spaceflight and to risks associated with extended missions.
Spaceflight conditions do not act through a single pathway. Microgravity, space radiation, altered circadian cues, and confinement can influence physiology through stress signaling and cellular regulation, affecting processes such as immune activity and gene expression. Considering these factors together helps researchers distinguish broad environmental responses from changes linked specifically to altered mechanical loading or other conditions.
Genotype can shape how an organism responds to extreme environmental conditions, including changes in spaceflight-related physiology and gene expression. Researchers can use genomic or transcriptomic profiling to examine these differences and identify biological pathways associated with adaptation. This genetics-based perspective helps separate environmental effects from inherited contributions to the observed response.
Ground controls provide a comparison group for mice exposed to the spaceflight environment. By comparing physiological measurements, tissue findings, and genomic or transcriptomic profiles, researchers can distinguish changes associated with space exposure from baseline biology or genetic contributions. This comparison strengthens interpretation of observed effects across bone, muscle, cardiovascular, immune, and gene-regulation outcomes.
Studies can combine physiological measurements with tissue analysis and genomic or transcriptomic profiling. Physiological data indicate changes in bodily function, tissue analysis examines affected biological structures, and molecular profiles reveal altered gene activity or regulatory pathways. Using these approaches together allows researchers to connect organism-level outcomes with cellular and genetic responses to spaceflight.
Mouse studies help identify conserved biological pathways, meaning responses shared across organisms, and assess physiological risks associated with long-duration missions. Their findings can support the development of countermeasures for astronauts while also showing how genotype shapes responses to extreme environments. The model therefore connects spaceflight research with both translational physiology and genetics.