Network Analysis Of DEGs With Putative Roles In Neuronal Development Under Microgravity Conditions

Microgravity promotes changes at the cellular level as well as the genomic level. These changes contribute to the risks of abnormal physiological and neurological responses faced by astronauts during prolonged missions, for example, at the International Space Station (ISS). This study aims to investigate the potential effects of microgravity on gene expression levels of genes that are key to the central nervous system (CNS) especially the differentiation of stem cells into neurons. We use transcriptomic data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) as well as the NASA Gene Lab. We have identified 60 key genes that are important across the four stages of neuronal development. Beside these we identified 55 genes that were observed to be influenced when exposed to real microgravity at International Space Station (ISS). Following the detailed analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across these datasets, we intend to conduct a systems-level study using interaction network as well in order to study the functional interdependencies of the DEGs. We hope to understand how the CNS changes in response to, and adapts with, microgravity conditions.