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Transcriptional pattern changes and impact on genomics of a mid-term stay of human cells on the International Space Station – «The effects of weightlessness on immune cells»
The immune system deteriorates during space flights. We investigate the cellular effects of microgravity during parabolic flights, rocket launches and on the ISS. We systematically benchmark different hypotheses bioinformatically on omics data and verify the results during microgravity missions.
The immune system deteriorates during long-term space flights, probably contributing to an increased susceptibility to infection, autoimmunity, and cancer during exploration class missions (1). Thus, there is a need to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which altered gravity changes the genomic stability and gene regulation homeostasis and leads to a later adaptation. Major effects happen on a timescale of seconds (2). For instance, after a free fall of 20 seconds during a parabolic flight substantial effects on the transcriptome can been detected (3), which cannot be explained by classical receptor biochemistry.
We investigate how the observed alterations of the cellular cytoskeleton, gene expression, cell
metabolism and morphology can be understood. Therefore, we gathered a multitude of transcriptomics and metabolomics datasets during several parabolic flight missions and sounding rocket launches (4). Our next aim is to systematically understand the underlying causes of the observed effects. Based on our data, we will exploratively test several hypotheses in silico, including but not limited to alternative
splicing, miRNA effects and multi-omics-analysis-based models. Consecutively, we will verify the
results in wet lab-experiments in our laboratory and during the next missions.
For this project, the aim is to understand the impact of a mid-term stay onboard the International Space Station on the transcriptome and the genome of human cultured cells.
Looking for a master’s thesis/lab internship in bioinformatics/cellular immunology? You already gained first hands-on experience in coding and ideally already worked on omics datasets (not required)? You like working autonomously and would like to take responsibility of you own workstream? **Ask us for detailed info!**
1 Chouker et al., The Immune System in Space: Are we prepared? Springer, 2016
2 Thiel et al., Rapid adaptation to microgravity in mammalian macrophage cells., Sci. Rep., 2017
3 Thiel et al., Rapid coupling between gravitational forces and the transcriptome in human myelomonocytic U937 cells., Sci. Rep., 2018
4 Thiel et al., Dynamic gene expression response to altered gravity in human T cells, Sci. Rep., 2017
The immune system deteriorates during long-term space flights, probably contributing to an increased susceptibility to infection, autoimmunity, and cancer during exploration class missions (1). Thus, there is a need to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which altered gravity changes the genomic stability and gene regulation homeostasis and leads to a later adaptation. Major effects happen on a timescale of seconds (2). For instance, after a free fall of 20 seconds during a parabolic flight substantial effects on the transcriptome can been detected (3), which cannot be explained by classical receptor biochemistry.
We investigate how the observed alterations of the cellular cytoskeleton, gene expression, cell metabolism and morphology can be understood. Therefore, we gathered a multitude of transcriptomics and metabolomics datasets during several parabolic flight missions and sounding rocket launches (4). Our next aim is to systematically understand the underlying causes of the observed effects. Based on our data, we will exploratively test several hypotheses in silico, including but not limited to alternative splicing, miRNA effects and multi-omics-analysis-based models. Consecutively, we will verify the results in wet lab-experiments in our laboratory and during the next missions. For this project, the aim is to understand the impact of a mid-term stay onboard the International Space Station on the transcriptome and the genome of human cultured cells.
Looking for a master’s thesis/lab internship in bioinformatics/cellular immunology? You already gained first hands-on experience in coding and ideally already worked on omics datasets (not required)? You like working autonomously and would like to take responsibility of you own workstream? **Ask us for detailed info!**
1 Chouker et al., The Immune System in Space: Are we prepared? Springer, 2016 2 Thiel et al., Rapid adaptation to microgravity in mammalian macrophage cells., Sci. Rep., 2017 3 Thiel et al., Rapid coupling between gravitational forces and the transcriptome in human myelomonocytic U937 cells., Sci. Rep., 2018 4 Thiel et al., Dynamic gene expression response to altered gravity in human T cells, Sci. Rep., 2017
Conducting a sub-project in the analysis team of the Prof. Ullrich research group. This can be chosen out of currently available projects in transcriptomics, metabolomics, cross-platform multi-omics and computer-assisted microscopy image analysis. If of interest to the candidate, a transcriptome vs genome comparison project on human cultured cells that have stayed on the International Space Station is available.
We provide an inspiring and collaborative work environment in the field of gravitational biology. Our group provides you with a unique access to the field of space life sciences, a direct collaboration with NASA and with Airbus. You will acquire autonomous research skills and can lead your own sub-project. Additionally, you will have the chance to have an early contribution to a scientific publication.
Conducting a sub-project in the analysis team of the Prof. Ullrich research group. This can be chosen out of currently available projects in transcriptomics, metabolomics, cross-platform multi-omics and computer-assisted microscopy image analysis. If of interest to the candidate, a transcriptome vs genome comparison project on human cultured cells that have stayed on the International Space Station is available.
We provide an inspiring and collaborative work environment in the field of gravitational biology. Our group provides you with a unique access to the field of space life sciences, a direct collaboration with NASA and with Airbus. You will acquire autonomous research skills and can lead your own sub-project. Additionally, you will have the chance to have an early contribution to a scientific publication.
Prof. Ullrich Group
Universität Zürich
Anatomisches Institut
Winterthurerstrasse 190
CH-8057 Zürich
anatomy.uzh.ch/en/research/Ullrich/
**Contact via:**
Christian Vahlensieck
Anatomisches Institut
E-mail: christian.vahlensieck@uzh.ch
Tel: +41 44 63 55100
Prof. Ullrich Group Universität Zürich Anatomisches Institut Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH-8057 Zürich anatomy.uzh.ch/en/research/Ullrich/