| Principal Investigator |
: |
 |
Mitsuo Ikenaga, Ph.D.
(Kyoto University) |
|
| Objective |
: |
The basic data to estimate possible effects of cosmic radiation on
astronauts will be obtained.
|
| Experiment outline |
: |
In space environment, exposure to cosmic radiation is unavoidable.
Human cells are inoculated to cell culture modules (CCMs) and loaded on
the Space Shuttle. After recovery of cells on Earth, the effects of cosmic
radiation and the zero-gravity on the genes are analyzed.
|
| Expected outcome |
: |
If the frequencies of mutations and of other radiation effects in the
flight samples are essentially the same as those in the control samples
kept on Earth, we can conclude that cosmic radiation and the zero-gravity
during a short-term space flight do not cause significant effects on human
genes. In contrast, if the cells returned from space exhibit a higher rate
of mutation compared with ground control, then the effects of long-term
space flight should be investigated in more detail using the coming International
Space Station.
|
| Experimental unit |
: |
Cell Culture Module (CCM)
|
