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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
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High Throughput Microinjections of Sea Urchin Zygotes
Published on: January 22, 2014
Skeletogenesis in sea urchin larvae under modified gravity conditions
H J Marthy1, G Gasset, R Tixador
1Observatoire Oceanologique, CNRS, Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Banyuls sur mer, France.
Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|September 7, 2001
Summary
Sea urchin skeletogenesis, the process of skeleton formation, occurs normally in microgravity. However, gravity may influence the positioning of skeletal cells, affecting overall skeleton architecture.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Space Biology
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Skeletogenesis in sea urchins is well-documented.
- Practical considerations for studying sea urchin development were assessed.
- The role of gravity in skeletogenesis was investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if gravity is essential for orderly skeletogenesis in sea urchins.
- To investigate the effects of microgravity on sea urchin larval development and skeletal formation.
Main Methods:
- Experiments were conducted under microgravity conditions during space missions (STS-65, Photon-10, STS-76).
- Larvae of Sphaerechinus granularis were cultured from the blastula stage in microgravity.
- Skeletal structures were analyzed for mineral composition, architecture, and size post-flight.
Main Results:
- Mineralization during skeletogenesis is independent of gravity; cells differentiate correctly in microgravity.
- Abnormal skeleton architectures were observed, suggesting gravity's influence on cell positioning.
- Larvae cultured in microgravity and then returned to Earth developed normally.
Conclusions:
- Gravity is not required for the differentiation of skeletogenic cells or mineralization.
- Gravity may play a role in the spatial organization and architecture of the sea urchin skeleton.
- Sea urchin larvae can develop and eventually metamorphose normally after exposure to microgravity.
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