Cycloastragenol in Microgravity: Its Effects on Telomerase Activation and Telomere Longevity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (the “Instant” Strain of Baker’s Yeast)
Feb 24, 2016
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!