This research project focuses on the prolonged effects of altered gravity on intracellular calcium levels within biological systems. We specifically target iPSC-derived neurons, where changes in intracellular calcium levels in response to gravitational shifts have been observed. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms driving these changes remain a mystery. Signal transmission rates of neuronal activity could be altered due to changes in calcium levels, thus impacting neuronal function and performance. Our innovative approach, integrating the genetically encoded calcium reporter CaMPARI into cell lines, has already shown promising results. Our measurements have exceptional spatial resolution with advanced optogenetics hardware for precise photoconversion and high-resolution spinning-disc microscopy. Through this novel methodology, we aim to uncover the fundamental signaling pathways that mediate calcium dynamics in response to gravitational changes, thereby advancing our under-standing of how eukaryotic cells adapt to such conditions and identifying critical mechanisms of gravitational biology.

Ongoing project…