Cycloastragenol in Microgravity:

Cycloastragenol in Microgravity: Its Effects on Telomerase Activation

and Telomere Longevity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

(the “Instant” Strain of Baker’s Yeast)

Team MembersCo-Principal Investigators: Sarah Higdon, Sharmayne Siu, Lauren Takeyama, and Kyra Yamamoto

Collaborators: Misako Benso, Katherine Cheng, Monica De Jesu, Gillian Ferguson, Charmayne Floyd, and Avishan Nikoui-Smith

BackgroundTelomerase is an enzyme that lengthens telomeres and prevents the gradual degradation of coding genetic material in chromosomes.

ObjectiveTo test the effects of the Cycloastragenol drug on telomerase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (the “instant” strain of baker’s yeast) and to qualify whether or not the telomerase works more rapidly in microgravity.

Materials• SAF-Instant

Instant Yeast• Cycloastragen

ol• Agar medium• Phosphate

buffer saline• Agarose

Initial Experiments•Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH)•Expensive/resource consuming•Difficulties including:

▫Cell wall lysis ▫Inconsistencies in yeast telomere

sequences▫Telomere primer

ExperimentsPreliminary Experiment #1: Whether yeast growth will be inhibited under microgravity conditions (simulated using sea plaque agarose)

Preliminary Experiment #2: Whether Cycloastragenol promotes yeast growth

Preliminary Experiment #11. Autoclave 250 mL at 157◦ F(70◦ C)2. Cool down to 95◦ F (35◦ C) , add 1.44 mg of

yeast3. Place in LAB-LINE ORBIT Environ-Shaker at

30◦F 4. Heat up to melt agarose, pour into 500ml

centrifuge tubes5. Centrifuge for 10 min at 1500 RPM, removed

excess medium/agarose6. Tenfold serial dilution

Preliminary Experiment #21. Add two capsules of Cycloastragenol to 250 mL

of medium and 1.44 mg of yeast, shake2. Place in LAB-LINE ORBIT Environ-Shaker for

1.5 hour, pour into 500mL centrifuge tubes3. Centrifuge for 10 min at 2000 RPM4. Remove excess medium until only 100mL

remaining5. Filled four test tubes with 45mL of buffer6. Tenfold serial dilution7. Spectrometer

Conclusion1. Yeast can grow in simulated microgravity

conditions

2. Cycloastragenol does not negatively affect the growth of yeast or elicit abnormal responses in organisms with cell walls

Acknowledgements Mr. Wyeth Collo

Dr. Steven Smith and Dr. Laura Crocitto from City of HopeMr. Keith Derrick

San Marino High SchoolSan Marino Unified School District

San Marino PTSAStephen and Mary Birch Foundation

CASISNanoRacks

National Center for Earth and Space Science EducationSubaru of America, Inc

Mr. Fadl Saadi and Mr. Dan Torelli from the California Institute of Technology

Thank you!