Even vigorous physical activity by astronauts cannot offset muscle wasting caused by the absence of gravity in space. This wastage is partly due to a mechanism that controls the absorption of calcium. Recent studies have revealed that exposure to spaceflight disrupts the absorption of calcium in muscles, but the specific mechanisms driving these changes have not been thoroughly investigated. To address this, researchers at Ames Research Center used Machine Learning (ML) to analyze data from experiments on mice subjected to microgravity. ML techniques are highly effective for finding obscure patterns in complex biological data, making them well-suited for biological research in space with limited datasets.
The study focused on identifying biomarkers that could help develop new strategies to counter the negative effects of microgravity on muscle atrophy. The project was part of NASA’s Space Life Sciences Training Program at Ames Research Center, which provided the funding. The ML analysis revealed molecular factors affecting calcium uptake in muscles, particularly the calcium channel sarcoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum (SERCA) pump, leading to muscle changes and loss in spaceflight rodents. The study also identified specific proteins, Acyp1 and Rps7, as predictive biomarkers associated with increased calcium intake in fast-twitch muscles.
Overall, the study provided valuable techniques and insights into the use of ML for understanding calcium uptake in muscles under microgravity conditions and showcased NASA’s open science initiative in collaboration with an international research team. Additionally, the involvement of an undergraduate researcher from UC Berkeley as the lead author highlights the potential for more successful collaborations between NASA and academic institutions in life sciences research.
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