Project Overview

My final year project aims to explore hibernating mammal (bear and squirrel) and space flown mouse datasets to reveal mechanisms of how hibernation may protect against the adverse effects of spaceflight. By analysing differentially expressed genes involved in hibernation and human orthologs, enriched biological processes can be found and will be used to determine if features of hibernation can avoid harmful effects of space travel. The induction of a suspended state in humans could address challenges of long-term space exploration such as muscle atrophy, bone demineralization, fluid shift and DNA damage caused by galactic radiation.