Scientists grew algae on the ISS for 40 generations; spaceflight produced about 50% more DNA changes than on Earth |– timesofindia.indiatimes.com
News Source
EXCERPT:
Scientists have grown microscopic algae aboard the International Space Station to investigate how spaceflight affects their genetic stability. Space Algae-1 grew ultraviolet light-mutagenised Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in the ISS VEGGIE plant growth chamber for approximately 40 mitotic generations over one month. Whole-genome sequencing of pooled cell samples collected every 10 generations found that the spaceflight cultures had an approximately 50% increase in DNA polymorphisms compared with ground controls. According to Nasa, a novel base substitution signature among the mutations. The findings are part of research into whether microalgae could support biological life-support systems during long-duration and deep-space missions.
Why did algae grown on the ISS show about 50% more DNA changes
Whole-genome sequencing was carried out on pooled cell samples collected every 10 generations. The sequencing showed that the cultures grown in spaceflight had an approximately 50% increase in DNA polymorphisms compared with ground controls. The results therefore identified a difference in the genomic changes observed between the cultures grown aboard the ISS and those maintained in ground-based controls.The mutations identified in the spaceflight cultures also had what Nasa describes as a “novel base substitution signature”. According to the agency, suggested a risk that microalgae may be unstable for long-term production in space. The Space Algae research is therefore examining genomic stability in organisms that could have applications in biological life-support systems during space missions.
