Title:

The Impact of Microgravity on Vascular Network Formation

Understanding how microgravity affects human physiology is essential for improving astronaut health and enabling long-term space missions. This project aims to investigate the impact of microgravity on endothelial cell behavior, morphology, and vascular network formation relevant to wound healing. Focusing on the mechanical interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM), the study builds upon the cellular tensegrity model, hypothesizing that mechanical unloading in microgravity disrupts cellular tension and compression, altering vascular function. Using a random positioning machine to simulate microgravity, endothelial cells (HUVECs) will be cultured in 2D and 3D environments with variable ECM compositions, including collagen, fibronectin, and substrate stiffness. The effects on cell adhesion, morphology, and network formation will be analyzed via immunofluorescent staining and confocal imaging. A microfluidic flow system will then be integrated to simulate vascular shear forces, enabling further analysis of microgravity-induced changes in vascular behavior. This work addresses key goals of NASA’s Space Biology Program and has potential applications in both space health and terrestrial tissue engineering.

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