1991 | Ground (N=4) | SLS-1 | Rat | Foil | LN2 | Rats were dissected upon shuttle return. Rats were sacrificed by decapitation, then dissected immediately. Livers were removed, placed on tinfoil, and frozen on dry ice immediately. |
2011 | Ground (N=3)Flight (N=3)Basal (N=3) | CBTM-3 | Mouse | Cryovial | LN2 | Mice were sacrificed by 4% isoflurane inhalation and dissected within 3–5.5 hours after shuttle landing and snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen. |
2014 | Ground (N=5)Flight (N=5) | RR1 | Mouse | Cryovial | LN2 | Mice were sacrificed on board the ISS, then frozen at −80°C. Mouse carcasses were taken from −80°C freezer and thawed at room temperature for approximately 20 minutes. Livers were taken and either snap-frozen in LN2 or placed into cryovials with RNAlater. |
2016 | Ground (N=6)Flight (N=6) | RR3 | Mouse | Cryovial | LN2 | Mice were sacrificed on board the ISS, then frozen at −80°C. Mouse carcasses were taken from −80°C freezer and thawed at room temperature for approximately 20 minutes. Livers were taken and either snap-frozen in LN2 or placed into cryovials with RNAlater. |
2016 | Ground (N=4)Flight (N=4) | RR3 | Mouse | Cryovial | RNAlater | Mice were sacrificed on board the ISS, then frozen at −80°C. Mouse carcasses were taken from −80°C freezer and thawed at room temperature for approximately 20 minutes. Livers were taken and either snap-frozen in LN2 or placed into cryovials with RNAlater. |