GiS Spotlight: 2018 Honorable Mention Kristoff Misquitta
Each year Genes in Space awards ten Honorable Mentions to teams whose proposals display remarkable scientific rigor and creativity. Kristoff Misquitta is a student at Stuyvesant High School in New York. Here he shares his Genes in Space experience.
Briefly explain your experiment:
I proposed the use of competitive reverse transcription PCR to quantify microRNA-31 as a biomarker for the rate of bone loss in microgravity. This gravity-sensitive type of microRNA acts as a biological seesaw to control levels of both osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the body.
Why did you choose to participate in Genes in Space?
To me, space has always been indescribably beautiful. Not because of its secrets that we have already unlocked, but because of its countless more mysteries waiting to be discovered. Space, though hostile and dangerous, is our future. But reaching towards the stars demands innovation and creativity. It needs young, passionate, dedicated scientists who look up at the night sky and see a door ready to be opened. It relies on those who really do believe that human life among the stars is possible.
I want to be one of those people. I chose to participate in Genes in Space and contribute to the future of space exploration as my way of taking one step closer to that dream.
How did you choose your topic?
My research was inspired by one frightening statistic: astronauts lose, on average, 1 to 2 percent of their bone mass each month. I was tireless in my search for a molecular gateway to controlling this staggering loss. Eventually, I came across miRNA-31–a small but mighty post-transcriptional regulator of gene expression in the skeletal system. I was astounded by the consistent inverse correlation between levels of miRNA-31 in the body and bone mass. More importantly, miRNA-31 can be directly inhibited by an anti-miRNA to increase bone mineral density. As a stealthy, dynamic, and controllable bone regulator, miRNA-31 holds incredible scientific and therapeutic potential.
What did you gain by participating in Genes in Space?
Countless unforgettable memories and a new optimism about the future of space exploration. Genes in Space was an adventure, replete with ups, downs, puzzles, and “Aha!” moments. I’ll always remember the evenings I spent perusing journals and news articles in search of a gap in scientific knowledge–one small opening that PCR and a little creativity could fill. Every adventure has its lessons; Genes in Space taught me the importance of persistence and passion in pursing my dreams.
Do you have any advice for future Genes in Space contestants?
Research relentlessly! Immerse yourself in the vast and ever-growing body of scientific knowledge available to you. Your proposal is like a building: the stronger the foundation, the higher you can build. The sky (or even space) is the limit.
