The mission Foton-M3 t.o evaluate the tardigrade resistance to space effects

Tardigrades are microscopic animals able to pass over dehydration stress entering anhydrobiosis (i.e. dramatically reducing their metabolism) in any stage of their life. Using this strategy, tardigrades survive to extremely warm and dry environments excluded to most animals. Anhydrobiosis also gives rise to resistance against other stresses (i.e. temperatures over 100°C, freezing and ionizing rays). Trehalose is involved in anhydrobiosis playing an important role to protect cells. This sugar is currently used as additive for protecting mammalian cells during cryopreservation. Other molecules (e.g. heat shock proteins, Hsps) seem to be further keys to understand the anhydrobiotic mechanisms.The study here proposed (TARSE: Tardigrade Resistance to Space Effects) is part of the line ASSC (Animal Space Stress and Countermeasures) of the ASI MoMa project. Its aim is to study the ability of tardigrades to survive to space environments using as a tool anhydrobiotic and hydrated specimens of Macrobiotus richtersi, in light to lead to a development of molecules or mechanisms required to stabilize cells. Animals will fly using the facility Biokon (by Kayser Italia) during the mission Foton-M3. As a ground control, identical replicates will be maintained in Modena laboratory. Particular emphasis will be placed on the resistance to desiccation and to radiation stresses. The specific goals are: i) to verify the effect of space environment on survival of both desiccated and hydrated tardigrades, ii) to detect bioprotectant (e.g. Hsps) induction, iii) to verify the eventual damages on DNA due either to radiation or desiccation stresses, and the ability to repair them.