PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (S ): Allan A. Katzberg 



EXPERIMENT TITLE/NUMBER : The Effects of Space Flight on Living Human Cells 



Aboard the Discoverer Vehicle 



PROGRAM/MISSION : Discoverer XVIII 



CLASSIFICATION : Animal - Chicken embryo tissue 



DISCIPLINE(S) : Cell biology, Behavioral science 



OBJECTIVES : To study traumatic effects of space flight, using cell cultures, 

 since cells are very sensitive to alterations in environment. The effect can 

 be morphological or physiological, and may be permanent, temporary, or lethal. 



PROTOCOL : A population of 50,000 cells was suspended in 3cc medium and sealed 

 in glass ampules which also contained a small glass coverslip. These cells 

 were astrocytic and oligodendrogial derivatives cultured from the corpus 

 callosum of the brain of a 10-day-old chick embryo. 



EQUIPMENT : Glass ampules, salt solution, 10% horse serum, refrigeration 

 units, neutron film pack, chemical dosimeters, gold foil, glass needle sets, 

 552 film strips, polyethelyene foam (for packing), alanine packets, 1 step 

 plate and film (in all three planes), nuclear track plates. 



RESULTS : The culture was in good condition on the 12th day following 

 preparation, with a high level of viability. There was some inhibition of 

 growth initiation, but it was insignificant. Postflight, the cells showed no 

 significant biochemical, cytological, or genetic changes. 



CONCLUSIONS : Not conclusive, due to the less than ideal flight conditions. 



PUBLICATIONS : 305, 306, 307, 308 



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