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EXPERIMENT
The antibody V(D)J recombination machinery in normal and altered gravity - AMPHIBODY
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 | Biology: Developmental biology |
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 | ISS 12S (Soyuz TMA-8) + Increment 13 |
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 | J.P. Frippiat (1), C. Dournon (1), H. Membre (1), B. Schaerlinger (1), G. Sonnenfeld (2), E.R. Horn (3) |
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 | | (1) | Laboratory of Experimental Immunology
Henri Poincare Universite-Nancy-1
Boulevard des Aiguillettes 1B
BP 239
54506 Vandoeuvre les Nancy
FRANCE
| | (2) | Biochemistry and Immunology
Dept. of Microbiology
Morehouse School of Medicine
720 Westview Drive
S.W.Atlanta GA 30310-1495
USA
| | (3) | Department of Neurobiology
University of Ulm
Albert Einstein Allee 11
89081 Ulm
GERMANY
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 | | [1] | E.R. Horn, C. Dournon, J.P. Frippiat, R. Marco, S. Böser, U. Kirschnick, (2007), "Development of neuronal and sensorimotor systems in the absence of gravity: Neurobiological research on four soyuz taxi flights to the international space station", Microgravity Science and Technology, 19, 5-6, DOI: 10.1007/BF02919474, pp. 164-169. |
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 | The immune system is an important regulatory mechanism affected by space flight. As plans for longterm missions continue to develop, alterations of immunity could seriously impair the ability of the host to deal with infections. Up to now, research has mainly focused on innate immunity and T cell responses, whereas B cell-mediated responses have been almost unexplored. During B cell development, the antibody repertoire is created by the assembly of many V genes, D (only for the heavy chains) and J segments. This process is mediated by the V(D)J recombination machinery. Using the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl as a model, the objectives of this experiment are: To determine if exposure to microgravity during embryonic development affects the expression of antibody V(D)J recombination genes; To clearly distinguish the effects of microgravity on V(D)J recombination processes during embryonic development by use of an in-flight 1g centrifuge control; Post-flight measurement of vestibuloocular reflex of tadpoles which developed during spaceflight; Morphological, chemical and crystallographic studies of otoconia from tadpoles which developed during spaceflight.
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 | Patrik Sundblad (e-mail: patrik.sundblad@esa.int) |
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