Abstract Samples
The following are examples of accepted abstracts from the 41st ASGSR Annual Meeting (2025) in Phoenix, Arizona. These samples illustrate the format, length, and scientific depth expected of a successful submission. Use them as a guide when preparing your own abstract.
Example 1 – Life Sciences / Neuroscience
Neurodegeneration Beyond Earth: Parkinson’s Disease Biomarkers Emerge Under Spaceflight Conditions
Spaceflight presents a unique physiological environment that accelerates cellular aging through mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired protein homeostasis, and epigenetic alterations. Chronic exposure to stressors such as microgravity, ionizing radiation, hypercapnia, and isolation has been linked to an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). To investigate how spaceflight-relevant conditions affect vulnerable neuronal systems—specifically dopaminergic neurons implicated in PD—we examined the effects of simulated microgravity (SMG) on neuronal cultures in vitro using a custom-designed clinostat, and in vivo using a mouse model exposed to hindlimb unloading (HLU) combined with Mars-relevant ionizing radiation (IR). Transcriptomic analyses of mouse brain regions revealed that these stressors selectively disrupted mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and protein translation pathways in the substantia nigra pars compacta, with minimal effects observed in the striatum. In vitro exposure to SMG reduced the expression of Tyrosine Hydroxylase and mitochondrial complexes, impaired mitochondrial function, and altered mitochondrial morphology and dynamics. These findings suggest that dopaminergic neurons are particularly sensitive to mitochondrial and translational stress induced by the space environment. Our study supports the use of spaceflight stress models to uncover mechanisms of neurodegenerative vulnerability and to identify potential early biomarkers associated with Parkinson’s disease risk and progression. By elucidating these mechanisms, we aim to enhance astronaut health outcomes and develop strategies to mitigate neurodegenerative risks during extended space missions.
Example 2 – Plant Biology / Space Agriculture
Symbiosis Under Stress: Screening Chickpea Breeding Lines for Early Vigor and Microbial Symbiosis in Lunar Regolith Simulant
Microbial partnerships are crucial for crop survival in extraterrestrial substrates, such as lunar regolith, which lack native organic matter, nitrogen, and microorganisms. We evaluated 16 chickpea (Cicer arietinum) breeding lines for their ability to establish and engage microbial symbionts in amended lunar regolith simulant (LHS-1). The substrate was co-inoculated with Mesorhizobium ciceri and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to support nitrogen fixation, stress tolerance, and nutrient uptake. We assessed germination rates, biomass allocation patterns, bacterial nodulation rates and efficacy, and nitrogen status, revealing clear genetic variation in microbial compatibility and performance. Several breeding lines exhibited strong early partnerships, characterized by high bacterial nodulation levels and elevated chlorophyll content under stress conditions. Our results demonstrate that genotype selection plays a critical role in optimizing plant-microbe interactions in regolith-based systems. Chickpea genotypes with strong early symbioses are promising candidates for biologically supported food production on the Moon, offering a path toward low-input agriculture systems in space.
Example 3 – Cardiovascular / Proteomics
Proteomic Analysis of Cardiomyocytes Exposed to Simulated Spaceflight Stressors
The long-term effects of spaceflight-associated stressors—specifically microgravity and galactic cosmic radiation (GCR)—on the cardiovascular system remain incompletely understood. To address this, a cardiomyocyte model was employed to investigate the individual and combined impacts of these stressors. Neonatal cardiomyocytes were isolated from two-day-old Sprague Dawley rats using established laboratory protocols. Experimental groups were subjected to simulated microgravity using the Rotary Cell Culture System™, ionizing radiation, or a combination of both, these experiments were performed at NASA Space Radiation Research Laboratory (NSRL) in Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). Quantitative proteomic profiling was performed using data-independent acquisition (DIA) liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The analysis quantified over 8,000 protein groups, with significant alterations observed in response to both microgravity and radiation. Bioinformatics analyses identified differentially expressed proteins and revealed functional perturbations through enrichment of KEGG and Gene Ontology (GO) pathways. Notably, pathways related to mitochondrial gene expression and RNA splicing were among the most affected. A synergistic interaction between microgravity and radiation was observed, resulting in amplified proteomic disruptions compared to either stressor alone. These findings highlight the complex and compounded effects of spaceflight conditions on cardiac cellular function and identify key molecular pathways potentially vulnerable during long-duration missions.
Ready to Submit Your Abstract?
Abstract submissions for the 2026 ASGSR Annual Conference are now open. The deadline for graduate and undergraduate student abstracts is May 31, 2026. A separate call for middle and high school students will open in July 2026.