Development of a Low-Cost, Open Source Miniature Rotary Cell Culture System to Simulate Microgravity within an Irradiated Environment

Creators

Elizabeth Vargis, Utah State UniversityFollow
JR Dennison, Utah State UnivesityFollow

Description

A major challenge for astronauts in long-duration space travel is combatting the hazardous spaceflight environment caused by microgravity and increased levels of ionizing radiation. Microgravity damages cellular DNA by increasing the production of harmful reactive oxygen species, while ionizing radiation damages DNA by creating double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) breaks. Cellular damage due to microgravity and radiation has been investigated using ground-based models, but most models consider microgravity and ionizing radiation alone, or asynchronously. Synchronous modeling better mimics spaceflight conditions and can be used to understand the combined effects of microgravity and ionizing radiation. However, commercially available devices to model microgravity and radiation are rare and costly, requiring both a rotary cell culture system and beam time at a national lab or an independent radiation source. While independent radiation sources are becoming less difficult to use or purchase, commercially available devices to simulate microgravity are still cost prohibitive to many researchers.

In this study, we developed a low-cost, open source cell culture system for studying the role that synchronous ionizing radiation and microgravity play in pathophysiology during spaceflight conditions. Our system was validated by exposing C2C12 mouse myoblast cells to ionizing radiation at levels approximating 9-month and 10-year Mars missions while simulating microgravity. DNA damage to cells was quantified using -H2AX (a fluorescent marker for double-stranded breaks), while reactive oxygen species production was visualized using CellROX green. Cells exposed to long-term mission doses had statistically significant increases in DNA damage and ROS production compared to both the short-term and control conditions. Our proof of concept shows that the low-cost, open source mini-RCCS can be used to mimic the radiation and microgravity hazards of the spaceflight environment at the same level as expensive commercial systems.

Author ORCID Identifier

Elizabeth Vargis https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3141-9317

JR Dennison https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5504-3353

OCLC

1143847389

Document Type

Dataset

DCMI Type

Dataset

File Format

.txt, .SLDDRW

Viewing Instructions

SolidWorks required to use data.

Publication Date

12-18-2019

Funder

Utah NASA Space Grant Consortium

Publisher

Utah State University

Award Number

Utah NASA Space Grant Consortium, Research Infrastructure Minigrant 2017

Award Title

Research Infrastructure Minigrant 2017

Methodology

SolidWorks files were created by graduate and undergraduate research assistants on this project and used to machine and assemble the miniature rotary cell culture system.

Start Date

7-1-2015

End Date

6-30-2016

Language

eng

Code Lists

RCCS - rotary cell culture system

Comments

Apparatus base - vertical aluminum base that rotary vessels attach to

Base plate - aluminum plate that attaches to rear end cap of rotary vessel

Bottom of base - horizontal aluminum plate that attaches to apparatus base

Bottom - polycarbonate rear end cap of rotary vessel; attaches to base plate Polycarbonate tube - polycarbonate tubing used as the cell culture area; attaches to Bottom and Top

Shielding plate motor - graphite plate that attaches to Apparatus base to shield the rotary motor from radiation

Shielding plate - graphite plate that attaches to top of mini-RCCS to shield metal and plastic outside culture area

Top - polycarbonate forward end car of rotary vessel; attaches to Polycarbonate tube

***Some modifications were made to parts post-machining. These modifications are not included in the files available.***

Caldwell_data - data collected from immunocytochemistry performed on C2C12 cells

Disciplines

Biological Engineering | Physics

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Vargas, E., & Dennison, J. R. (2019). Development of a Low-Cost, Open Source Miniature Rotary Cell Culture System to Simulate Microgravity within an Irradiated Environment. Utah State University. https://doi.org/10.26078/HNW9-6A46

Checksum

f1abb11401cc1936d975b2ead3ae948f