Mouse Brain Gene Expression After 35-Day Spaceflight Mission

757 genes from a neuroinflammation panel were profiled in brain tissue from 12 mice, with 6 flown on the International Space Station for 35 days and 6 maintained as ground controls. The dataset, from NASA, was last updated in March 2026 and uses NanoString technology to evaluate pathways for inflammation, neuronal function, metabolism, and stress. A set of 54 genes was differentially expressed between the flight and control groups.

Use Cases

• Identify differentially expressed genes related to neuroinflammation based on the 54-gene signature separating flight and control groups.
• Analyze pathway alterations for cellular stress and apoptosis based on the described significant changes in these processes.
• Model the impact of spaceflight on neuronal signaling based on the reported downregulation of synaptic signaling and migration genes.
• Investigate oligodendrocyte and myelin-related changes based on the observed decrease in genes for differentiation and maintenance.
• Study immune response modulation in the brain based on the downregulation of genes for antiviral signaling and bacterial immune response.

Strengths

• Focuses on a specific, controlled experiment with 12 mice (6 flight, 6 ground control) from a single strain and age.
• Targets a defined biological pathway panel of 757 genes covering core neuroimmune interactions.
• Data is associated with a concrete spaceflight mission (Space-X 12, 35-day ISS mission) and a major organization (NASA).

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 tools or libraries for access and analysis.
• Data may reflect bias inherent to the specific mouse model (male C57BL/6), single mission duration, and tissue sampling region (right caudal half hemispheres).

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Gene expression profiling using NanoString digital color-coded barcode counting technology on frozen mouse brain tissue.

Time Range

The experimental mission lasted 35 days. Sample collection occurred within 38+4 hours of splashdown.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 19:49:40.030595; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Samples originated from mice launched to the International Space Station and a ground control habitat on Earth.