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Space environmental factors affecting responses to radiation at the cellular level
H Planel1, Y Gaubin, B Pianezzi
1Laboratoire de Radiobiologie et Biologie Spatiales, Toulouse, France.
Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Space radiation may alter cell radiosensitivity due to the space environment. The EXOBLOC II experiment suggests microgravity might affect DNA repair, but further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Space biology
- Radiation biology
- Cellular biology
Background:
- Previous space experiments indicate high relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for cosmic radiation.
- A potential explanation involves altered cell radiosensitivity from combined space environmental factors and space flight.
- Earth-based studies show mechanical stimuli (vibrations, accelerations) can modify radiation response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of space flight factors on cell radiosensitivity.
- To explore the hypothesis that microgravity is a primary factor affecting radiosensitivity and DNA repair.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the EXOBLOC II experiment, a space-based study.
- Compared radiation responses under space conditions with Earth-based controls (implicitly).
Main Results:
- Results from the EXOBLOC II experiment support the hypothesis of altered cell radiosensitivity in space.
- The findings suggest that factors inherent to the space environment, potentially microgravity, play a role.
Conclusions:
- The space environment, particularly microgravity, may significantly influence cellular radiosensitivity and DNA repair mechanisms.
- Further experiments are required to definitively confirm the role of microgravity and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.