Ricerc@Sapienza

The determination of the function of cells in zero-gravity conditions is a subject of interest in many different research fields. Due to their metabolic unicity, the characterization of the behaviour of erythrocytes maintained in prolonged microgravity conditions is of particular importance. Here, we used a 3D-clinostat to assess the microgravity-induced modifications of the structure and function of these cells, by investigating how they translate these peculiar mechanical stimuli into modifications, with potential clinical interest, of the biochemical pathways and the aging processes.

The accumulation of proline is a conserved response of plants to abiotic stress conditions. Moreover, the activation of proline metabolism takes place during the plant response to some pathogens. Although these responses are well documented, the molecular and physiological functions of proline accumulation under stress are still a matter of debate. The biochemical pathways that lead to proline accumulation and its functions in regulating development are described in the cognate chapter “Proline Metabolism and its Functions in Development”.