The space worm experiment reveals that gravity affects genes

Living in low gravity affects cells at the genetic level, according to a study of worms in space.

Genetic analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans worms on the International Space Station showed “subtle changes” in about 1,000 genes.

Stronger effects were found in some genes, especially between neurons (cells of the nervous system).

The study, conducted by the University of Exeter and NASA’s GeneLab, helps our understanding of why living organisms, including humans, undergo physical decline in space.

“We looked at the levels of each gene in the worm genome and identified a clear pattern of genetic change,” said Dr. Timothy Etheridge, of the University of Exeter.

“These changes could help explain why the body reacts poorly to spaceflight.

“It also provides us with some therapeutic goals in terms of reducing these health effects, which are currently a major barrier to deep space exploration.”

The study exposed low-gravity worms on the International Space Station and high-gravity worms in centrifuges.

The high-gravity testing gave the researchers more data on the genetic impacts of gravity and allowed them to search for possible treatments using high gravity in space.

“A crucial step towards overcoming any physiological condition is to first understand its underlying molecular mechanism,” said lead author Craig Willis of the University of Exeter.

‘We have identified genes with roles in neuronal function and cellular metabolism that are affected by gravitational changes.

“These worms exhibit molecular signatures and physiological characteristics that closely mirror those seen in humans, so our findings should provide the basis for a better understanding of space flight-induced health decline in mammals and ultimately humans.”

Dr Etheridge added: ‘This study highlights the ongoing role of scientists from Europe and the UK in life science research on space flight.’

The document, published in the journal iScience, is entitled: “Comparative transcriptomics identifies neuronal and metabolic adaptations to hypergravity and microgravity in Caenorhabditis elegans”.