Space flight experiments with nonterrestrial minerals and bioorganic molecules

Meteorites probably played a central role in the evolution of life. Due to the structure, they tend to adsorb organic compounds and catalyze a variety of organic reactions critical to scenarios of life’s origins. We have shown experimentally that extraterrestrial minerals can catalyze the formation of peptides and nucleotides, thus, lending support to the RNA world hypothesis. This theory proposes that life based on RNA preceded the modern life, which is based on DNA and proteins. The present study was performed onboard different Russian space stations (Bion, Cosmos, and Mir) with various duration, altitude, and radiation conditions. Irradiation of solid samples, free or admixed with certain minerals, is the major task of future space flight experiments, planned for performing onboard Russian space satellite Bion-10M. Radiation behavior of bioorganic substances (BOS) on the Earth’s orbit could have truly applied significance (formation of uridine dimers).     

Postgraduate studies in radiation biology in Europe

The present system of radiobiological research in universities and research centres is no longer able to train radiobiologists who have a comprehensive understanding of the entire field of radiation biology including both `classical' and molecular radiation biology. However, such experts are needed in view of the role radiation protection plays in our societies. No single institution in Europe could now run a 1-year, full-time course which covers all aspects of the radiobiological basis of radiation protection. Therefore, a cooperative action of several universities from different EU member states has been developed and is described herein. Received: 12 January 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 16 June 1998     

Space and radiation protection: Scientific requirements for space research

Ionizing radiation poses a significant risk to humans living and working in space. The major sources of radiation are solar disturbances and galactic cosmic rays. The components of this radiation are energetic charged particles, protons, as well as fully ionized nuclei of all elements. The biological effects of these particles cannot be extrapolated in a straightforward manner from available data on x-rays and -rays. A radiation protection program that meets the needs of spacefaring nations must have a solid scientific basis, capable not only of predicting biological effects, but also of making reliable estimates of the uncertainty in these predictions. A strategy leading to such predictions is proposed, and scientific requirements arising from this strategy are discussed.Invited paper presented at the International Symposium on Heavy Ion Research: Space, Radiation Protection and Therapy, Sophia-Antipolis, France, 21–24 March 1994     

Brine shrimp development in space: ground-based data to shuttle flight results

The brine shrimp, Artemia salina, has been used as a model system to assess microgravity effects on developing organisms. Following fertilization and early development, the egg can arrest in early gastrula as a dehydrated cyst stage that is stable to harsh environments over long time periods. When salt water is added, the cysts can reactivate, with embryonic development and egg hatching occurring in about 24 h. A series of larval molts or instars, over about a 2 week period, results in the adult crustacean. We have assessed these developmental events in a closed syringe system, a bioprocessing module, in ground-based studies, and have conducted preliminary in-orbit experiments aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis during the flights of STS-37 and STS-43. Although the in-flight data are limited, spectacular degrees of development have been achieved.     

Effect of space flight factors simulated in ground-based experiments on the behavior,discriminant learning,and exchange of monoamines in different brain structures of rats

Experimental treatment (long-term fractionated γ-irradiation, antiorthostatic hypodynamia, and the combination of these factors) simulating the effect of space flight in ground-based experiments rapidly restored the motor and orienting-investigative activity of animals (rats) in “open-field” tests. The study of the dynamics of discriminant learning of rats of experimental groups did not show significant differences from the control animals. It was found that the minor effect of these factors on the cognitive performance of animals correlated with slight changes in the concentration of monoamines in the brain structures responsible for the cognitive, emotional, and motivational functions.     

Space radiation effects and microgravity

Humans in space are exposed both to space radiation and microgravity. The question whether radiation effects are modified by microgravity is an important aspect in risk estimation. No interaction is expected at the molecular level since the influence of gravity is much smaller than that of thermal motion. Influences might be expected, however, at the cellular and organ level. For example, changes in immune competence could modify the development of radiogenic cancers. There are no data so far in this area. The problem of whether intracellular repair of radiation-induced DNA lesions is changed under microgravity conditions was recently addressed in a number of space experiments. The results are reviewed; they show that repair processes are not modified by microgravity.     

Destruction of public and governmental experiments of GMO in Europe

The purpose of this article is to compile the destruction of GMO trials from academic or governmental research institutes in Europe, in a factual manner and to highlight their main characteristics. About 80 acts of vandalism against academic or governmental research on GMOs are identified, mainly in 4 countries; namely France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Examples are also provided for Italy and Belgium. The general conclusions that can be drawn from these acts are also discussed.     

Variation in flight duration among individual Tetraopes beetles: Implications for studies of insect flight

Milkweed beetles, Tetraopes tetraophalmus (Forster) (Cerambycidae), were flight tested three times weekly throughout their lives. Flight durations peaked early in life and then declined rapidly with age. Significant variation existed (1) between individuals, with some flying for long periods of time, others for only a few seconds, and (2) within individuals, with some flying for long periods on some test days and very briefly or not at all on other days. Long and short fliers were indistinguishable on the basis of size, sex, or lifespan. The data show that studies of insect flight will underestimate the number of long fliers in a population by as much as 50% or more unless individuals are flight tested more than once.     

Dermatoglyphic studies in eastern and south-eastern Europe

In nine population samples from Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Republic of Macedonia (Skopje and Aromuns from Stip region), Romania, Serbia and Slovakia 12 dermatoglyphic variables have been studied. There are distinct differences between the populations and between males and females. The Macedonian Aromuns are clearly separated from the other populations.     

Pulse-labeling experiments in transmembrane transport studies

Many sugars, when added to the medium of bacteria or yeast cells, are recovered inside the cell partly as the sugar-6-phosphate and partly as the free sugar. Phosphorylation may have occurred intracellularly subsequent to transmembrane transport of the free sugar, or during transport, intimately coupled to the translocation step itself. When using nonmetabolizable sugars, isotope pulse-labeling experiments can be used to discriminate between these two possibilities. In previous papers these pulse-labeling procedures have been discussed and interpreted only on a qualitative basis. Due to experimental or systematic errors—such as adsorption of labeled substrate on the filters used to separate cells and medium—the interpretation is not always unambiguous. Under these circumstances a more detailed quantitative analysis of the kinetics of pulse-labeling could provide a warrant for the reliability of the interpretation.With non-metabolizable sugars a stationary state will usually develop, characterized by a dynamic equilibrium between the free sugar and the sugar-phosphate. In the present paper the kinetics of pulse-labeling during this stationary state are derived.