Physics Commons^™

Characterizing The Effects Of Radiation On Muscle Cells, Lori Caldwell, Elizabeth Vargis, Charles Harding, Jr Dennison

Posters

One of the primary concerns for those spending time in low gravity and high radiation environments is muscle atrophy. A major cause of muscular atrophy is oxidative stress which is amplified by increased levels of ionizing radiation during spaceflight. Additionally, high levels of radiation can damage DNA, increasing the risk of cancer. Utah State University’s Space Environment Test Facility was used to irradiate C2C12 myoblasts and human vascular endothelial cells with a beta-radiation dosage mimicking that on the International Space Station and a 3-year deep space mission.