How Astronauts' DNA Adaptations in Space Could Revolutionize Earth's Medical Treatments

     A study found significant genetic changes in astronauts due to prolonged exposure to microgravity. These changes include the dysregulation of 11 genes related to immune function, DNA repair, and cancer progression. This is a result of the unique environmental stressors of space, such as increased radiation and altered gravitational forces, which affect cellular and molecular structures. Understanding these genetic shifts is crucial for developing countermeasures to protect astronauts and could also offer insights into medical treatments for related conditions on Earth. Researchers can discover how specific genes are influenced under extreme conditions. This knowledge can be used to repurpose existing drugs or develop new treatments that target similar genetic pathways in diseases on Earth, such as immune disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancer, potentially enhancing their effectiveness or reducing side effects.

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams floating in the ISS

    I think studying the genetic changes in astronauts due to microgravity is interesting because it opens up the potential for groundbreaking medical advances on Earth. By understanding how genes adapt in extreme environments, scientists can identify new targets for drug development or repurpose existing medications to better treat diseases that involve similar genetic pathways. This research not only benefits astronaut health but could also lead to innovative treatments for serious conditions, enhancing healthcare outcomes across the globe.

Links:

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/science/article/genetic-changes-in-astronauts-could-help-treat-disease-on-earth-nh836nt3f#:~:text=By%20identifying%20common%20genes%20whose,disorders%2C%20neurodegenerative%20conditions%2C%20cardiovascular%20issues

https://www.nasa.gov/hrp/hazards/#:~:text=These%20include%20space%20radiation%2C%20isolation,and%20closed%20or%20hostile%20environments.

Carp undergo 'reverse evolution' to get their scales back

Common carp, known also by its scientific name Cyprinus carpo, are scaly fish. However, there was a small group of carp that were selectively bred with no scales. European monks bred these carp to make the fish easier to cut open and cook. Also known as mirror carp, the species was initially introduced to Madagascar for fish farming purposes.

A carp

A recent study by The Royal Society shows that the population of mirror carp has declined since their introduction to Madagascar in 1912. Those carp have since evolved into scaly fish. Even though they still possess the genetic mutation that would give them smooth sides, the fish have scales. The article refers to this process as "reverse evolution", but I believe it is more of an environmental adaption. Scaled carp have better fitness; they are more likely to survive due to the scales' protection from predators and parasites. Therefore, the carp quickly adapted to their environment by evolving scales on their bodies. 

The process of the carp recovering scales took approximately one-hundred years. In the larger scheme of evolution, this adaption happened very rapidly. The environment heavily forced carp to recover scales. I believe this is a great example of observing selection through environmental adaptions, even though the fish were initially bred to not have a certain trait. Through scenarios like the common carp being bred without scales and relocated, we are able to see how beneficial evolution occurs within species due to environmental pressures, regardless of genetic modification.

Stress Alters Children's Genomes

Scientific American published an article on the alteration children can express on their chromosomes when growing up in poor and unstable homes. A study was conducted on African American boys, which concluded that their telomeres, or repeating DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes were fraying over time. When examining DNA from American boys who lived in harsh environments, the scientists found their telomeres to be 19% shorter. One of the many factors used to measure the home environment of the boys was the level of education of their mothers. Boys who mothers had a high-school diploma had telomeres 32% longer than boys whose mothers did not have a diploma. Children from stable homes had telomeres 40% longer than children who experience changes in family structure.
The link between a stressful home environment and telomere length is determined by a 'sensitizing' gene variant, the chemical transmitters serotonin and dopamine. The scientist found that boys with two sensitizing alleles had the shortest telomeres in stressful home environments and the longest telomere length in advantaged environments.
More information about telomeres and telomerase can be found here.

Stress can affect RNA

A new study done by the University of Zurich, has found that traumatic experiences, early in life, may change the RNA of mice. It has been found that certain behavioral traits such as depression and anxiety can be present for many generations.  Another finding was that in the F1 generation, the sperm contained high levels of 5 different microRNAs, one of which is associated with  stress.  To test if this was related to social factors, the scientists injected the isolated RNA into eggs of mice that had not be affected.  The results were that this generation as well as their offspring were affected with depression.  The next step the scientists are looking at is if this is also true for humans.  This study can be found in Nature Neuroscience.

The choice between coffee or beer could have an effect on genome

         A study from the Tel Aviv University’s Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology reveals that coffee and beer may affect our genomes differently. Alcohol was found to lengthen and caffeine was found to shorten telomeres in yeast that is genetically similar to humans. Telomeres are located at the ends of DNA strands and are crucial to the correct repairing and copying of DNA strands. The yeast cells were exposed to twelve environmental stressors that did not affect telomere length, except for the presence of ethanol and caffeine. In the presence of 5-7% ethanol solution, the telomeres grew in length. In the presence of a small concentration of caffeine, the telomeres decreased in length. Rap1 and Rif1 were the two genes identified that were identified to play a role in environmental factors and telomere length. There are about 400 genes that play a role in telomere length, most of which are in humans. More work must be done to reveal if these factors will have the same effects on humans. The identification of a relationship between these environmental stressors and telomere length could lead to dietary guidelines and treatments.

            Another study of the effects of coffee consumption showed differing results. A study of older adults found that those who drank coffee saw decreased risk of death from diabetes, accidents, and injuries, respiratory disease, stroke, infections, and heart disease. The risk of death was 10% lower in those who consumed three of more cups a day than non- coffee drinkers.

            Coffee or beer? I found that the fact that the choice could affect our genomes to be rather interesting. As the leader of the study stated, this is the first time environmental factors that affect telomere length have been found. I did not realize that the discovery of the relationship between coffee or beer consumption and telomere length could be significant. Yet, it was brought to light that the relationship could be used in medical treatment. I am curious to see if the relationship will exist when the study is conducted for humans.

Primary Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131205142127.htm

Secondary Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120519071454.htm