The response of single human cells to zero gravityTwenty separate cultures of Wistar-38 human embryonic lung cells were exposed to a zero-gravity environment on Skylab for periods of time ranging from one to 59 days. Duplicate cultures were run concurrently as ground controls. Ten cultures were fixed on board the satellite during the first 12 days of flight. Growth curves, DNA microspectrophotometry, phase microscopy, and ultrastructural studies of the fixed cells revealed no effects of a zero-gravity environment on the ten cultures. Two cultures were photographed with phase time lapse cinematography during the first 27 days of flight. No differences were found in mitotic index, cell cycle, and migration between the flight and control cells. Eight cultures were returned to earth in an incubated state. Karyotyping and chromosome banding tests show no differences between the flight and control cells.
Document ID
19750057369
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Montgomery, P. O., Jr.
Cook, J. E.
Reynolds, R. C.
Paul, J. S.
Hayflick, L.
Schulz, W. W.
Stock, D.
Kinzey, S.
Rogers, T.
Campbell, D. (Woodlawn Hospital; Texas, University, Dallas; M. D. Anderson Hospital; NASA, Johnson Space Center Houston, Tex.; Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., United States)