Riley Atrops, Jacob Foster and Dr. William Munroe
Abstract
Prokaryotic organisms have been proven capable of surviving under extreme conditions, however, the mechanism by which organisms survive under hyperaccelerations is unknown. Research in the topic of organismal growth in hypergravitational environments is relevant to understanding the physical bounds of life which may be required of extraterrestrial organisms given the likelihood that extraterrestrial environments may be less habitable than that of Earth. Subsequently, better defining the physical limits of life gives crucial insight into the probability of life on extrasolar planets. Additionally, this research has applications for supporting human health during space flight. It is, thus, useful to determine the proteomic changes undergone in cells which remain viable under gravitational accelerations exceeding those experienced on Earth. For this reason, in this experiment planaria underwent centrifugation at 14500 RPM for 1 hour before immediate lysis via liquid nitrogen. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and whole cell proteomics, this experiment aims to determine the survival process undergone by cells subject to hyperaccelerations. One possible outcome of this experiment includes an observable increase in motor proteins such as dynein.
Presentation
Session 2 – 3:00p.m. – 4:15p.m.
Room D – Sierra 2422
