Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Madison Stroud, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Madison Stroud
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Amber Paul
Abstract
Spaceflight and its extreme environmental risks, including microgravity and ionizing radiation, can influence immune function and alter endocrine and sex hormone homeostasis. However, little is known about the influence of the spaceflight environment on reproductive health. This research aims to address crosstalk between immune and reproductive systems, leveraging samples collected from a recent rodent research (RR)-20 mission. For this, blood was collected seven days post-mating from 24-week-old female C57BL6/J mice that were flown onboard the International Space Stations (ISS) for 45 days. Analysis of blood will be performed by flow cytometry to identify unique immune phenotypes associated with spaceflight. In addition, bulk RNA sequencing will be performed on whole blood collections to evaluate transcriptomic profiles that complement immune-reproductive health. Collectively, this project will characterize the effects of spaceflight on female immunity and will identify biosignatures that regulate reproductive health.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Immune Influence on Reproductive Health Following Spaceflight
Spaceflight and its extreme environmental risks, including microgravity and ionizing radiation, can influence immune function and alter endocrine and sex hormone homeostasis. However, little is known about the influence of the spaceflight environment on reproductive health. This research aims to address crosstalk between immune and reproductive systems, leveraging samples collected from a recent rodent research (RR)-20 mission. For this, blood was collected seven days post-mating from 24-week-old female C57BL6/J mice that were flown onboard the International Space Stations (ISS) for 45 days. Analysis of blood will be performed by flow cytometry to identify unique immune phenotypes associated with spaceflight. In addition, bulk RNA sequencing will be performed on whole blood collections to evaluate transcriptomic profiles that complement immune-reproductive health. Collectively, this project will characterize the effects of spaceflight on female immunity and will identify biosignatures that regulate reproductive health.