RR-23: Mouse Kidney Transcriptional Profiles from 38-Day Spaceflight

NASA's Rodent Research-23 mission collected transcriptional profiling data from the kidneys of 60 male C57BL/6J mice. The dataset features 9 samples each from Flight, Habitat Ground Control, and Vivarium Ground Control groups, with mice maintained in microgravity for 38 days on the ISS. RNA was extracted from kidneys preserved in RNAlater, with libraries sequenced to a target of 60 million clusters per sample.

Use Cases

• Identify gene expression changes in kidney tissue based on exposure to microgravity.
• Compare transcriptional profiles between flight, habitat control, and vivarium control groups.
• Investigate the effects of spaceflight on biological systems relevant to vision-supporting vasculature.
• Analyze technical reproducibility based on the included independent library preparation replicates.

Strengths

• Includes a controlled experimental design with three distinct groups: Flight, Habitat Ground Control, and Vivarium Ground Control.
• Provides a technical replicate for one sample in each group to assess reproducibility.
• Specifies a high sequencing depth target of 60 million clusters per sample.
• Documents precise mission timelines, including a 38-day microgravity exposure and specific euthanasia dates.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect temporal and experimental bias inherent to a single, highly specific mission.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

RNA extracted from kidneys of mice flown on the RR-23 mission to the ISS, with libraries generated and sequenced.

Time Range

Mission flown on SpaceX-21, with tissue collection occurring in January 2021.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 19:51:15.793107; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Mice were transported to the International Space Station and post-flight procedures were conducted at Texas A&M University.