Microscopic worms could help open up travel into deep space (even if from your easy chair)

The University of Nottingham ^ | June 2, 2011 | Unknown

[decimon]

A space flight by millions of microscopic worms could help us overcome the numerous threats posed to human health by space travel. The Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) have also given experts an insight into how to block muscle degradation in the sick and elderly.

The worms — from The University of Nottingham — were flown into space onboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. They spent 11 days in orbit onboard the International Space Station more than 200 miles above the earth.

Many of C. elegans’ 20,000 genes perform the same functions as those in humans. Experts in human physiology from the School of Graduate Entry Medicine wanted to study the effectiveness of RNA interference (RNAi), a tried and tested technique which regulates gene expression in diseased tissue, and whether this technique could be employed to reduce or control the dramatic muscle loss experienced by astronauts during spaceflight.

The results of this research, published today (June 1 2011) in the journal PLoS ONE, have shown that RNAi, which is already the subject of more than a dozen clinical trials to target illnesses ranging from cancer to asthma, functions normally in space flight and could be used as a viable option to treat and control muscle degradation in spaceflight. Their discovery will not only be of interest to astronauts but will also help people who suffer from muscle wasting caused by illness and old age.

[decimon]

Worms crawl in ping.

[Magic Fingers]

There is undoubtedly ridiculous waste in govt. spending, but this is the kind of activity (”worms in space - what???”) that could be made to look idiotic but which could have real-life benefits.

[null and void]

IIRC, C. elegans were the only survivors of the Columbia crash.

[I cannot think of a name]

“Many of C. elegans’ 20,000 genes perform the same functions as those in humans.”

So, there's a tie-in between worm and human DNA. This answers a question I've had for a long time about my boss.

[Silentgypsy]

Anybody else visualize disembarking astronauts looking like Ahnold?

[cripplecreek]

There is undoubtedly ridiculous waste in govt. spending, but this is the kind of activity (”worms in space - what???”) that could be made to look idiotic but which could have real-life benefits.

Sometimes things like this are a good way to spend money. While everyone was screeching about shrimp on a treadmill, I don't think I heard one "reporter" ask why.

While jello wrestling in antarctica is an obvious idiotic waste of money, much of our robotic advances have come from studying the way animals move and think (especially insects)

[decimon]

So, there's a tie-in between worm and human DNA. This answers a question I've had for a long time about my boss.

I see you credit your boss with being human.

[KevinDavis]

[Magic Fingers]

“While jello wrestling in antarctica is an obvious idiotic waste of money, much of our robotic advances have come from studying the way animals move and think (especially insects)”

Exactly. For example...it’s been a while, but at one time I was involved in NIH-funded “basic science” research that included gathering oysters in the bay (the “fun” part of the job that might sound like a waste of taxpayers’ money). However, we were using them to study the effect of cystic fibrosis protein fractions on their gill cilia in hopes of finding treatment modalities.

[cripplecreek]

A recent story about a paraplegic learning to walk despite having a severed spinal cord came from stupid research like this (likely from insects)

You can cut an insect’s central nervous system in half and both halves will continue to work just fine.

[PENANCE]

Well, when they start talking about sending extremophiles to seed Venus, then I’ll be interested.

[cripplecreek]

Not sure any earthly extremeophiles would find venus too welcoming. The 800 degree temps would cook pretty much anything we’ve got here on earth.

Mars is a better candidate for seeding but its got other problems.

[blueunicorn6]

I can’t even get my senator to give me a ride in one of those limos that Obama’s been buying, but we can take British worms joy-riding in space on an American shuttle?
Weinerweinerweinerweinerweiner.....sorry....I can’t help myself.....weinerweinerweinerweinerweiner.

[Magic Fingers]

To our point...see #14.

[Vaquero]

Nonsense...these Regulan blood worms are harmless and will help ease your transition into ‘The Expanse’

[I cannot think of a name]

“I see you credit your boss with being human.”

Human exoskeleton,

brain, personality, and spine make extensive use of worm DNA.

[PENANCE]

So I’ve been told. I just believe that there must be some cracks or crevices at the poles where the temperature is lower. Or, that bacteria could potentially live in the higher parts of the atmosphere.

Either way, it’s the cost of a flight to venus, a jug of water, and a petri dish of microbes to find out for sure.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks decimon. These are not the same worms as the other story. :')

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[decimon]

I’ll bet my worms can take your worms.