[39]

THE STABILITY OF RNA OF THE ARABIDOPSIS PLANT AS A COMPONENT OF THERMAL PROFILING TECHNIQUES: A MOLECULAR BIOLOGY ASSESSMENT.  Davida Robinson¹, Dr. Anna-Lisa Paul² and Dr. Robert Ferl^{2  1}SLSTP Trainee: Space-flight Simulation Emphasis Group,  NC A&T State University   Dept. of Physics,  ²University of Florida, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences

     Typically Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) is stored at a temperature of –80єC to preserve integrity. This storage temperature is not always available in a Space Flight situation. Various thermal profiles for storing harvested tissue such as in liquid N₂ (–196єC), –80єC, -20єC and room temperature, were used as a comparison for various Space flight simulations.  The Molecular Biology Assessment evaluates the various thermal profiling techniques in their ability to sustain the stability of RNA of harvested Arabidopsis thaliana, in both simulated flight and ground controls.  A set number of samples were stored in the new, uncharacterized stability agent, “RNAlater”.  Results can be used for further investigation into the best protocols for handling plants on the International Space Station.