Meeting Abstract

3.5  Tuesday, Jan. 4  Fish in Space: Effects of Simulated Microgravity on Skeletal Development in Danio rerio EDSALL, Sara C*; FRANZ-ODENDAAL, Tamara A; Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S.; Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, N.S. sara.edsall@dal.ca

Within the last two decades, advancements have been made in studies examining the effects of space travel on development. It is no longer necessary to send organisms into space to determine the effects microgravity may have on ontogeny; several instruments have been developed that can simulate microgravity conditions here on Earth, such as the clinostat and the bioreactor. Using Danio rerio, a popular model organism, and a bioreactor, we have investigated the effects of microgravity on the development of the teleost skeleton, and more specifically, the skull. In particular, our research focuses on how exposure to microgravity affects the migration of neural crest cells. Neural crest cells are a multipotent population of cells that migrate from the neural tube to other parts of the organism (beginning around 12hpf-14hpf). These cells differentiate into various cell types and tissues, including the bones and cartilages of the cranial skeleton. We exposed zebrafish to a simulated microgravity environment before and during phases of neural crest cell migration; starting exposure at 10hpf, 12hpf, and 14hpf, for a duration of 12-96hrs. After exposure we raised the fish in normal conditions and analyzed the skeleton via whole-mount bone and cartilage staining, and morphometric analysis. Preliminary results indicate that no severe skeletal abnormalities arise as a result of 12-96 hr simulated microgravity exposure; however, there is evidence that other neural crest cell-derivatives may be affected. Determining the effects of microgravity on development will provide insight into the potential risks of future space travel. Research funded by the Canadian Space Agency-Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Partnership and the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (Canada) grant.