Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31700: Neural Development in Space: Studying C. elegans in Microgravity

Understanding how the nervous system develops in space is crucial for long-term human exploration. To explore this, students from Valley Christian High School conducted an experiment aboard the ISS using C. elegans—tiny nematodes that share a surprising amount of genetic similarity with humans.

The focus was on how microgravity affects neural development. C. elegans is ideal for such a study because it has a fully mapped nervous system and is transparent, allowing researchers to directly observe neural growth using microscopy. The students were particularly interested in the development of motor neurons and how these worms move in the absence of gravity.

The experiment involved sending embryos to space and observing them through several developmental stages. Differences in behavior, growth patterns, and neuron structures were analyzed and compared to Earth-based controls. Preliminary data suggested that microgravity can indeed alter neural development, affecting how the worms coordinate their movements.

This kind of research is important because it offers insights into how astronauts’ nervous systems might adapt or struggle in space. It could also inform medical treatments or technologies for space-induced neurological changes.

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