KSC Fixation Tube Biocompatibility Study Using Caenorhabditis elegans
Introduction:
C. elegans studies can be related to human biology. Scientists need to preserve the worms in their “space condition” for transporting them back to earth to conclude experimentation. Kennedy Space Center Fixation Tubes (KFTs) can be used in this case to preserve specimens. This project tested whether growing and preserving C. elegans was possible in KFTs and to determine KFTs self-sufficiency. Special focus was given to the simplicity of the methods so the experiment could be repeated easily in space.
Above: An adult C. elegans
Above: a KFT
How Does it Work?
• Make rectangular CeMM-agar plates
• Spot C. elegans respectively
• Roll and insert agar plates into KFTs’ sample chambers
• Incubate 9 days, room temperature
• Test for growth: wash the worms off the plates, filter, stain with Commassie Brilliant Blue, count nematodes
• Fix in KFT with water and formaldehyde
Conclusion
C. elegans showed significant growth in KFTs with CeMM-agar layers coating inside the sample chambers. C. elgegans were also preserved in KFTs with 3% formaldehyde. This project has successfully demonstrated that KFTs are self-sufficient.
Author: Khue Truong, Flight trainee, SLSTP 2004
University of California, Los Angeles
Principal Investigator: Oliver Van Den Ende, Bionetics Corporation
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