RRRM-2: Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Mouse Spleens After Spaceflight

A 2026 dataset from NASA contains single-cell transcriptional profiles from the spleens of 16 mice involved in the Rodent Research Reference Mission-2 (RRRM-2). The data compares 8 flight animals (4 young, 4 old) that returned live from the International Space Station with 8 ground control animals, focusing on the effects of spaceflight and age. The full RRRM-2 mission involved 160 mice with various control groups, but this specific study profiles a subset from the Live Animal Return cohort.

Use Cases

• Identify cell-type-specific transcriptional changes in the spleen based on spaceflight exposure mentioned in the description
• Compare aging-related gene expression patterns under spaceflight conditions based on the young vs. old mouse cohorts
• Analyze immune system adaptation and recovery post-spaceflight based on the Live Animal Return (LAR) experimental design

Strengths

• Data originates from a controlled NASA spaceflight mission (RRRM-2) with matched ground, basal, and vivarium controls for 160 total mice
• Experimental design isolates effects of spaceflight, age, and recovery time, with animals sacrificed at the same age
• Includes profiles from 8 flight and 8 ground control animals, enabling direct comparison

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• The dataset represents a subset (16 of 160 mice) from the full mission, specifically the LAR cohort

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Single-cell transcriptional profiling (likely single-cell RNA sequencing) of spleen tissue from mice flown on the International Space Station as part of the RRRM-2 mission.

Time Range

Data collection occurred during the RRRM 2 mission, with on-orbit sacrifices after 55-58 days and Earth-based sacrifices after a 32-day flight and 24-day recovery.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 19:48:08.125010; freshness should be verified

Geography

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