Sarah Andalib - Researcher at Center for Advanced Technologies in Medicine Iran University of Medical Science, P.O.B

Adaptation to space gravity may lead to behavior changes in animals. Locomotion of Caenorhabditis elegans in simulated/real microgravity as compared to 1-g on earth is hereby reviewed. Meanwhile, specific tools for animal research in space are elaborated with emphasis on C.elegans. Methods English-language papers published since 1995 until 2015, including keywords microgravity plus animal are surfed on web, while those including the extra keyword C.elegans and muscle or locomotion are reviewed. Results According to the outcome (N=54 papers), C.e (with n= 19 papers) and Ant (n=1) have the first and last places amongst six animals of interest since 1995, while Rat (n=18), Fish (n=7), Fly (n=5) and Monkey (n=4) are in betwixt. Only one C.e paper directly observed the worm’s locomotion in microgravity, while other eighteen documents were about locomotion-related gene expressions in space. Conclusion Space research on C.e and social insects shows an ascending trend. Also, multidisciplinary research by neurobiologists and engineers who design the test units is increased.

Caenorhabditis elegans, Locomotion, Muscle, Microgravity, Space