ISS Effects on Murine Tendon Collagen Fibrils from NASA Rodent Research-1

A 32-day spaceflight experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) investigated the effects of microgravity on murine tendon collagen fibrils. The dataset contains nanomechanical and morphological measurements from 38 fibrils (23 spaceflight, 15 ground control) analyzed via atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and last updated in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Compare collagen fibril nanomechanics (Young's Modulus) between spaceflight and ground control groups based on AFM measurements.
• Analyze fibril morphology (diameter, height) adaptations to microgravity based on the atomic force microscopy data.
• Model time-course requirements for tendon adaptation in microgravity based on the 32-day mission results.
• Benchmark AFM quantitative imaging mode (QI-mode) protocols for tendon collagen fibril analysis based on the described methodology.

Strengths

• Data is derived from a controlled spaceflight experiment (NASA Rodent Research 1) with defined ground controls.
• Measurements were taken using a specific atomic force microscope (JPK NanoWizard 4a) and cantilever (qp-BioAC-CB1), suggesting standardized collection.
• Analysis involved 38 collagen fibrils from 17 micrographs, providing a basis for statistical comparison.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The dataset is stored in a BIN file format, which may require specialized software for access and interpretation.
• The sample size (n=38 fibrils) may be limited for drawing broad conclusions about tissue adaptation.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis of chemically processed and mechanically isolated quadriceps tendon samples from mice aboard the ISS.

Time Range

Covers a 32-day spaceflight mission period.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 20:07:58.525835; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Data collection associated with the International Space Station (ISS).