A High-Altitude Balloon Method for Near-Space Exposure and Recovery of Caenorhabditis elegans
Start Date
7-8-2026 10:15 AM
End Date
7-8-2026 10:30 AM
Location
ALT 207
Abstract
As humans continue to push the frontier of space exploration, understanding the physiological effects of spaceflight is increasingly important. Prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation induces molecular and cellular damage in skeletal muscle, contributing to psychological changes that may compromise astronaut health. While prior studies have primarily focused on mouse models exposed to high-dose, acute radiation from a single beam, we evaluated C. elegans as a potential model organism to study the effects of naturally occurring, chronic low-dose radiation. Caenorhabditis elegans, a widely used, microscopic nematode, provides a cost- and size-effective model for observing the effects of radiation on musculature. Our objective was to develop a methodology for successfully sending C. elegans into near-space conditions via a high-altitude balloon and recovering them alive. A literature review found no published studies describing the use of balloons to transport and recover living C. elegans, making this a novel approach. Three physiological states of the nematodes were tested: active plated worms, dauer (hibernating) plated worms, and frozen dauer worms. Each model was exposed to one of two treatment conditions during flight: radiation-shielded and non-radiation-shielded. Following our first trial launch, living C.elegans were successfully recovered from the non-radiation-shielded plates, radiation-shielded plates, and ground control samples. One plate from each flight condition was lost, likely due to freezing and thawing during transport. Nevertheless, viable worms were recovered from every experimental condition, demonstrating that C. elegans can survive launch and recovery. Future studies will focus on improving thermal insulation to minimize temperature-related losses while maintaining radiation exposure.
A High-Altitude Balloon Method for Near-Space Exposure and Recovery of Caenorhabditis elegans
ALT 207
As humans continue to push the frontier of space exploration, understanding the physiological effects of spaceflight is increasingly important. Prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation induces molecular and cellular damage in skeletal muscle, contributing to psychological changes that may compromise astronaut health. While prior studies have primarily focused on mouse models exposed to high-dose, acute radiation from a single beam, we evaluated C. elegans as a potential model organism to study the effects of naturally occurring, chronic low-dose radiation. Caenorhabditis elegans, a widely used, microscopic nematode, provides a cost- and size-effective model for observing the effects of radiation on musculature. Our objective was to develop a methodology for successfully sending C. elegans into near-space conditions via a high-altitude balloon and recovering them alive. A literature review found no published studies describing the use of balloons to transport and recover living C. elegans, making this a novel approach. Three physiological states of the nematodes were tested: active plated worms, dauer (hibernating) plated worms, and frozen dauer worms. Each model was exposed to one of two treatment conditions during flight: radiation-shielded and non-radiation-shielded. Following our first trial launch, living C.elegans were successfully recovered from the non-radiation-shielded plates, radiation-shielded plates, and ground control samples. One plate from each flight condition was lost, likely due to freezing and thawing during transport. Nevertheless, viable worms were recovered from every experimental condition, demonstrating that C. elegans can survive launch and recovery. Future studies will focus on improving thermal insulation to minimize temperature-related losses while maintaining radiation exposure.
