Advances in Astrobiology

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closed (30 June 2024)

Manuscript submission deadline

closed (30 November 2024)

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Astrobiology is defined as the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. This Topic seeks to collect papers that aim to answer some fundamental questions about the beginning and evolution of life on Earth (including the geological records of biosphere evolutions), possible existence of extraterrestrial life, and the future of life on Earth and other moons and planets. This Special Issue is particularly addressed to those scientists that study the emergence of life on Earth, determine how early life on Earth interacted and evolved with its changing environment, understand the evolutionary mechanisms and environmental limits of life, and explore habitable environments in our solar system and search for life, as well as those scientists that contribute to understanding the nature and distribution of habitable environments in the universe. We also seek papers aimed at recognizing signatures of life on early Earth and on other worlds, studying the nonbiological origin of organic compounds and the boundaries of habitable zones, bioregenerative life support systems, and the environmental limits of life. Finally, we seek papers focusing on the challenges posed by human presence in both low Earth orbit (e.g., ISS) and extraterrestrial orbiting stations (e.g., the Moon Space Gateway) or planetary bases, and the effect of space-related factors, such as altered gravity and magnetic fields, radiation, confinement, altered circadian rhythms, limited social interactions, high labor charge, psychological pressure, and limited or no access to fresh food.

Prof. Dr. Massimo Maffei
Prof. Dr. Barbara Cavalazzi
Dr. Marta del Bianco
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	4.9	8.1	2000	16.8 Days	CHF 2900
Pharmaceutics pharmaceutics	4.9	7.9	2009	15.5 Days	CHF 2900
Cells cells	5.1	9.9	2012	17 Days	CHF 2700
Biomolecules biomolecules	4.8	9.4	2011	18.4 Days	CHF 2700
Plants plants	4.0	6.5	2012	18.9 Days	CHF 2700
Universe universe	2.5	4.3	2015	20.6 Days	CHF 1600
Cancers cancers	4.5	8.0	2009	17.4 Days	CHF 2900
Antioxidants antioxidants	6.0	10.6	2012	16.9 Days	CHF 2900

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Open AccessArticle

Molecular Mechanism of Microgravity-Induced Intestinal Flora Dysbiosis on the Abnormalities of Liver and Brain Metabolism

by Yi Xiong, Jianguo Guo, Wenchen Yu, Deyong Zeng, Chenchen Song, Li Zhou, Nadtochii Liudmila Anatolyevna, Denis Baranenko, Dan Xiao, Yingyu Zhou and Weihong Lu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(7), 3094; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073094 - 27 Mar 2025

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Abstract

Space flight has many adverse effects on the physiological functions of astronauts. Certain similarities have been observed in some physiological processes of rodents and astronauts in space, although there are also differences. These similarities make rodents helpful models for initial investigations into space-induced [...] Read more.

Space flight has many adverse effects on the physiological functions of astronauts. Certain similarities have been observed in some physiological processes of rodents and astronauts in space, although there are also differences. These similarities make rodents helpful models for initial investigations into space-induced physiological changes. This study uses a 3D-Clinostat to simulate microgravity and explores the role of microgravity in space flight-induced liver and brain abnormalities by comparing changes in the gut microbiota, serum metabolites, and the function and physiological biochemistry of liver and brain tissues between the simulated microgravity (SMG) group mice and the wild type (WT) group mice. The study, based on hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, 16S sequencing technology, and non-targeted metabolomics analysis, shows that the gut tissue morphology of the SMG group mice is abnormal, and the structure of the gut microbiota and the serum metabolite profile are imbalanced. Furthermore, using PICRUST 2 technology, we have predicted the functions of the gut microbiota and serum metabolites, and the results indicate that the liver metabolism and functions (including lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and sugar metabolism, etc.) of the SMG group mice are disrupted, and the brain tissue metabolism and functions (including neurotransmitters and hormone secretion, etc.) are abnormal, suggesting a close relationship between microgravity and liver metabolic dysfunction and brain dysfunction. Additionally, the high similarity in the structure of the gut microbiota and serum metabolite profile between the fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) group mice and the SMG group mice, and the physiological and biochemical differences in liver and brain tissues compared to the WT group mice, suggest that microgravity induces imbalances in the gut microbiota, which in turn triggers abnormalities in liver and brain metabolism and function. Finally, through MetaMapp analysis and Pearson correlation analysis, we found that valeric acid, a metabolite of gut microbiota, is more likely to be the key metabolite that relates to microgravity-induced gut microbiota abnormalities, disorders of amino acid and lipid metabolism, and further induced metabolic or functional disorders in the liver and brain. This study has significant practical application value for deepening the understanding of the adaptability of living organisms in the space environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Astrobiology)

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Open AccessArticle

YAP Inhibition Alleviates Simulated Microgravity-Induced Mesenchymal Stem Cell Senescence via Targeting Mitochondrial Dysfunction

by Wenjun Lv, Xiufen Peng, Yun Tu, Yisong Shi, Guanbin Song and Qing Luo

Antioxidants 2023, 12(5), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12050990 - 24 Apr 2023

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Abstract

Weightlessness in space leads to bone loss, muscle atrophy, and impaired immune defense in astronauts. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play crucial roles in maintaining the homeostasis and function of the tissue. However, how microgravity affects the characteristics MSCs and the related roles in [...] Read more.

Weightlessness in space leads to bone loss, muscle atrophy, and impaired immune defense in astronauts. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play crucial roles in maintaining the homeostasis and function of the tissue. However, how microgravity affects the characteristics MSCs and the related roles in the pathophysiological changes in astronauts remain barely known. Here we used a 2D-clinostat device to simulate microgravity. Senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining and the expression of senescent markers p16, p21, and p53 were used to evaluate the senescence of MSCs. Mitochondrial membrane potential (mΔΨm), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and ATP production were used to evaluate mitochondrial function. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were used to investigate the expression and localization of Yes-associated protein (YAP). We found that simulated microgravity (SMG) induced MSC senescence and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mito-TEMPO (MT), a mitochondrial antioxidant, restored mitochondrial function and reversed MSC senescence induced by SMG, suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction mediates SMG-induced MSC senescence. Further, it was found that SMG promoted YAP expression and its nuclear translocation in MSCs. Verteporfin (VP), an inhibitor of YAP, restored SMG-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and senescence in MSCs by inhibiting YAP expression and nuclear localization. These findings suggest that YAP inhibition alleviates SMG-induced MSC senescence via targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, and YAP may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of weightlessness-related cell senescence and aging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Astrobiology)

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