Includes m6A RNA methylation (chemical tags on mRNA that control stability/translation) and chromatin accessibility via snATAC-seq (which DNA regions are 'open' and available for gene activation). Also cell-free DNA methylation for tissue-of-origin analysis.
Reading this chart
Y-axis shows m6A methylation level (fraction of RNA sites modified). The massive spike at R+1 (0.78 vs baseline 0.42) is the most dramatic epigenetic change — the body flooded RNA with regulatory marks immediately upon return to gravity. This suggests rapid gene-regulation reprogramming.
Epigenetic changes mean the body is reprogramming its gene regulation — not just turning genes on/off temporarily, but changing which genes CAN be turned on. The massive m6A spike at R+1 (immediately post-landing) suggests a burst of post-transcriptional gene regulation during re-adaptation to gravity.
Methylation percentages (0-100% per site), accessibility scores from ATAC-seq peaks. Changes computed as delta-methylation between timepoints. Aggregate by genomic region or pathway.
All AP-level math. No differential equations, no ML required. With n=4, descriptive statistics are more honest than hypothesis testing.
First-ever m6A epitranscriptome map from spaceflight
Massive m6A spike immediately post-flight (R+1)
Chromatin accessibility changes in immune cell subtypes
cfDNA methylation revealed tissue-specific stress patterns
Adds depth to all domain scores. Epigenetic 'memory' of spaceflight stress persists longer than transcriptional changes — useful for assessing long-term risk and recovery trajectory.