<p>The clue to astronauts' immunity in outer space owing to prolonged travel lies in learning the negative impact of zero gravity on fruit flies.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A team of researchers from the University of California at Davis and the University of Central Florida (UCF) has studied the impact weightlessness has on fruit flies bred in space.<br /><br />"Our study showed that a biochemical pathway needed to fight fungal infections is seriously compromised in the flies after space flight," said Laurence Von Kalm, a UCF biologist.<br /><br />"More work would be needed to determine if similar effects occur in humans but this gives us some important clues," he added.<br /><br />Fruit flies' innate immune system is similar to that of humans and other mammals and is often used as a model in basic studies.<br /><br />The research team, led by UC Davis biologist Deborah Kimbrell, bred flies in space aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 2006.<br /><br />The flies developed into adults while on the 12-day mission.<br /><br />The flies were retrieved after the mission and researchers found that they were more apt to get fungal infections.<br /><br />Further analysis revealed that the system the flies use for detecting and defending against fungal infection was deactivated.<br /><br />In contrast, another system used to defend against bacterial infection was not impaired in the space flies.<br /><br />The team hopes to carry out research with fruit flies on the International Space Station (ISS).<br /><br />"Getting a better understanding is particularly important, especially as we look to engage in long-term missions such as interplanetary space flights," added Kalm.<br /><br />The findings were published in the journal PLOS One.</p>
<p>The clue to astronauts' immunity in outer space owing to prolonged travel lies in learning the negative impact of zero gravity on fruit flies.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A team of researchers from the University of California at Davis and the University of Central Florida (UCF) has studied the impact weightlessness has on fruit flies bred in space.<br /><br />"Our study showed that a biochemical pathway needed to fight fungal infections is seriously compromised in the flies after space flight," said Laurence Von Kalm, a UCF biologist.<br /><br />"More work would be needed to determine if similar effects occur in humans but this gives us some important clues," he added.<br /><br />Fruit flies' innate immune system is similar to that of humans and other mammals and is often used as a model in basic studies.<br /><br />The research team, led by UC Davis biologist Deborah Kimbrell, bred flies in space aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 2006.<br /><br />The flies developed into adults while on the 12-day mission.<br /><br />The flies were retrieved after the mission and researchers found that they were more apt to get fungal infections.<br /><br />Further analysis revealed that the system the flies use for detecting and defending against fungal infection was deactivated.<br /><br />In contrast, another system used to defend against bacterial infection was not impaired in the space flies.<br /><br />The team hopes to carry out research with fruit flies on the International Space Station (ISS).<br /><br />"Getting a better understanding is particularly important, especially as we look to engage in long-term missions such as interplanetary space flights," added Kalm.<br /><br />The findings were published in the journal PLOS One.</p>