Evaluations of Physiological Responses to Space Environmental Stresses Using Medaka Live Imaging

Abstract

The full-scale operation of the International Space Station has started. The evaluation of influences on astronauts under space environmental stresses during space flight is one of the most important research topics in the space medicine. The aim of this study is to verify the physiological influences of the space environment such as microgravity and space radiation from a basic biomedical point of view by using medaka – small teleost, some of the strains with transparent body and proven the survivability in space. To accomplish the aim, we will conduct three quantitative physiological evaluations under space environment using the live imaging technique - muscle atrophy by reduction of muscle activity, alteration of autonomic nervous system by digestive functions and heart rate analysis, and behavior analysis. This propose is completed using remote image acquisition on orbit, data transfer and analysis of those image data on the ground. These data will be expected to be applied to the stress forecast or health care of astronauts during space missions.