Rodent Research-3: Mouse Retina Transcriptomic Data from ISS Mission

Twenty BALB/c mice were flown to the International Space Station for 39-42 days to study physiological changes in microgravity. The data contains transcriptomic information from mouse retinas, dissected from previously frozen eyes at Loma Linda University. This research was sponsored by Eli Lilly and Co. and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space.

Use Cases

• Identify gene expression changes in retinal tissue based on exposure to spaceflight conditions.
• Compare transcriptomic profiles between spaceflight, ground control, and basal control groups mentioned in the description.
• Study the molecular effects of microgravity on a specific organ system (the retina).
• Validate potential countermeasures for muscle and bone loss by analyzing related pathways in a different tissue.

Strengths

• Data originates from a controlled spaceflight experiment with 20 mice on the ISS and 40 total mice across all groups.
• Experimental design includes matched ground controls and basal controls housed in standard vivarium conditions.
• Sample processing was performed in a dedicated laboratory (Dr. Xiao Mao's lab at Loma Linda University).

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The description focuses on the mission's muscle/bone aim, while the data is retinal, requiring careful interpretation of study context.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Microdissection of retinae from frozen eyes and RNA isolation from mice flown on the ISS Rodent Research-3 mission.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 19:28:04.620032; freshness should be verified.

Geography

International Space Station and ground control facilities.