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Cell Cycle-specific Measurement of γH2AX and Apoptosis After Genotoxic Stress by Flow Cytometry
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Genomic Changes Driven by Radiation-Induced DNA Damage and Microgravity in Human Cells.
Afshin Beheshti1,2, J Tyson McDonald3, Megumi Hada4
1KBR, NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|October 13, 2021
Summary
Space radiation and microgravity pose risks to astronauts, potentially increasing cancer risk. Understanding individual radiation sensitivity is crucial for future Moon and Mars missions to ensure crew safety.
Area of Science:
- Space medicine
- Radiation biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The space environment presents significant health risks to astronauts due to ionizing radiation and microgravity.
- Individual susceptibility to radiation is a key factor in space radiation carcinogenesis.
- Future long-duration space missions necessitate accurate risk assessment for crew safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the combined effects of ionizing radiation and microgravity on human cell genetics and epigenetics.
- To evaluate the potential of human cell studies for estimating individual space radiation carcinogenesis risk.
Main Methods:
- Survey of existing literature on real and simulated space conditions.
- Analysis of data from studies on human cells exposed to space environment factors.
Main Results:
- Ionizing radiation and microgravity significantly alter human cell genetics and epigenetics.
- Variability in cellular responses suggests differences in individual radiation sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Accurate estimation of individual radiation carcinogenesis risk is vital for safeguarding astronauts on lunar and Martian missions.
- Human cell data provides a basis for developing predictive models of space radiation exposure risks.
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