The Influence of Micro- and Hypergravity on Immune Complex Formation
- Paper number
IAC-08.A1.2.12
- Author
Ms. Lisa Walters , The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Since the International Space Station became operational, astronauts spend an extended amount of time in the reduced gravity environment of space. A critical factor for the safe operation of space vehicles is the astronaut’s health. But what effects do micro- and hypergravity have on the human immune system? We report the status of a study on the formation rate of human immune complexes when subjected to varying gravitational fields. Specifically, the rate of absorbance is measured at a wavelength of 280nm during the first 20 seconds of the reaction when human immunoglobulin G (IgG) binds with Anti-human immunoglobulin G (A-IgG). In order to obtain meaningful results during this compressed time period, polyethylene glycol is added to the sodium phosphate buffer to increase the interaction between IgG and A-IgG. The optimal concentrations of IgG, A-IgG, and polyethylene glycol, were determined at a 7.5mM solution. The effects of gravity on this process will be determined by comparing the absorbance rate of 1-g ground truth samples to the rate measured when the process is repeated in 0-g as well as, 2-g. The 0-g and 2-g measurements will be conducted onboard NASA’s microgravity research aircraft as part of their highly competitive Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program. In addition to the above experiment, an extremely important part of our program is outreach to local schools and communities with an emphasis on the Native American communities. To provide a visual for our outreach portion of the project, a second experiment was performed. Flame dynamics is explored by using a candle inside a metal box that has visual differences of color and shape of flame between the varying gravitational fields. A video recording of both experiments provide clear visuals of our experiments and what it feels like to be weightless.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)