Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Mitochondrial Stress as a Central Hub for Spaceflight Biological Impact

A systems biology approach was implemented utilizing NASA’s GeneLab platform involving experiments from samples flown in space, human physiological data from astronauts, and confirmation from NASA Twin Study. A comprehensive multi-omics approach was implemented correlating transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and methylation analysis. We found that cells have stronger overall biological response than the tissues to spaceflight, with mitochondrial activity and innate immunity pathways being heavily impacted. NASA Twin Study results are consistent with a specific alteration in mitochondrial ATP production. Our results indicate that the space environment can directly induce mitochondrial damage, with mitochondrial dysfunctions being a cause for chronic inflammation and both being involved in the development of metabolic disorders that cause changes in lipid metabolism. We also found biological changes occurring during spaceflight with cell cycle, circadian rhythm and olfactory activity pathways can also influence and be influenced by alterations on mitochondrial activity