Rotifers in space: transcriptomic response of the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga aboard the International Space Station.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The biological effects of spaceflight remain incompletely understood, even in humans (Homo sapiens), and are largely unexplored in non-traditional models such as bdelloid rotifers.

Results

This study analyzes the transcriptomic changes experienced by Adineta vaga, a bdelloid rotifer aboard the International Space Station (ISS), using RNA sequencing. The aim was to investigate the overall effect of spaceflight in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) on these organisms. To this end, new hardware was developed to enable autonomous culturing of rotifers with minimal astronaut intervention. The study revealed significant transcriptomic changes, with 18.61% of genes showing differential expression in response to microgravity and radiation. These changes included upregulation of genes

SUBMITTER: Moris VC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12220480 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature