LINV on the ISS!
Endeavour has
been launched on its final flight at 8:56 am EDT Monday, May 16, for STS-134’s 16-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with the Italian Astronaut Roberto Vittori as the Mission Specialist.
Among the various experiments on board regarding the field of biology and biotechnology, BIOKon In Space (BIOKIS) involves the investigation of seven experiments sponsored by the Italian Space Agency (ASI-Agenzia Spaziale Italiana) in the areas of cellular, biology, radiation and radioprotection, aging, germination and plant growth. These experiments will aim to evaluate various biological species to determine genetic distinctions following short-duration spaceflight.
LINV is the principal investigator for the BIOKIS experiment called Arabidops-ISS (Arabidopsis on ISS). ArabidopS-ISS mainly deals with the alterations in whole gene expression due to microgravity, as well as the analysis of genes involved in the gravitropic response (a plant’s ability to change its growth in response to gravity), with particular attention to the ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) signalling chain. This experiment will elucidate the role of cytoskeleton in gravisensing and the genes involved in the ROS signaling chain. The International Space Station is the only facility able to permit long-term microgravity conditions.
This experiment will be performed using a custom experiment unit placed on the Kayser Italia developed BIOKON container. The Arabidops-ISS activation requires rotating 8 screws 90 degrees clockwise using the ArabidopS-ISS activation tool.
Seedlings of Arabidopsis WT (Wild-Type) and the agravitropic mutant eir1 are grown in AT-Space payloads filled with agar and nutrients. Samples will be fixed with RNAlater prior to entry into Earth’s gravitational field. Temperature and acceleration data will be recorded, in order to perform the ground control experiment.
This study will inspire future scientists to pursue a career studying alterations in plant physiology associated with space flight, which will ultimately improve human existence on orbit.
