using Gene Knockouts to assess Microgravity's effects on actin cytoskeleton formation and Function

General overview

When cells are exposed to microgravity, their internal structure can become disrupted. One important structure affected is the actin cytoskeleton, a network of protein fibers that helps cells maintain their shape, move, divide, and communicate through signaling pathways. In microgravity, this cytoskeleton can weaken or collapse, which may reduce normal cell function and contribute to biological changes associated with aging.

Project Specific

For my project, I will investigate how different gene knockouts affect actin cytoskeleton formation in a microgravity environment. By comparing cells with specific genes removed to normal cells, I hope to better understand which genes help maintain cytoskeletal structure under space-like stress. This research is important because it can help explain how microgravity affects human cells, why astronauts experience accelerated physiological changes in space, and which genetic pathways may protect cells from damage in extreme environments.