The purpose of this research is to understand the mechanisms of
gravitropism and phototropism in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Relevance/Impact:
This research will answer basic questions in plant biology and
provide insights into plant cultivation in space to support human
exploration.
The European Modular Cultivation System and TROPI hardware provide
a platform to study plant development under fractional-g conditions.
Development Approach & Outcome:
The EMCS facility launched on STS-121 with 8 TROPI experiment containers
(ECs). 16 additional TROPI ECs were launched on STS-115 providing
the full complement of containers required for total science operations.
All three experiment runs were successfully completed.
40 frozen samples, 8 data tapes were returned on STS-116.
70 frozen samples and 4 data tapes were returned on STS-117. 10
samples were left in the MELFI on ISS.
Early results from analysis of the video tapes show excellent
science data return.
Working with the Cold Stowage Group for descent manifest of the
remaining 10 frozen samples from the ISS.
Use
of microgravity to facilitate studies of phototropism in roots and hypocotyls
of young seedlings of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana will help to better
understand cellular mechanisms of phototropism in plants and the effects
of gravity on light perception of plants. The TROPI 1 experiment
was performed on the ISS in late 2006. Video data collection was
compromised due to software problems and neither video nor RNA data
from fractional g levels were obtained. The re-flight of the TROPI
experiment provides an opportunity to collect video and RNA data from
two experiment runs at four g levels; micro-g to 1.0g. The
TROPI 2 experiment is scheduled to be launched on STS-130 (20A) and
operate during ISS Increments 22-24 and return on STS-131(19A).
The Biomass Production System (BPS) environmental control
subsystems provides a complete growing environment for plants in microgravity.
Results can lead to the development of regenerative life support systems
on future exploration missions to the Moon or Mars.
•
Plant Signaling
The Plant Signaling experiment studies the effects of
microgravity on the growth of plants. The experiment is performed on
board the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with the
European Space Agency (ESA). Images of the plants are captured and down-linked
to Earth. Samples of the plants are harvested and returned to Earth
for scientific analysis. The results of this experiment can lead to
information that will aid in food production during future long duration
space missions, as well as data to enhance crop production on Earth.
Objective:
EMCS-TROPI
I
Use
of microgravity to facilitate studies of phototropism in roots and hypocotyls
of young seedlings of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana will help to better
understand cellular mechanisms of phototropism in plants and the effects
of gravity on light perception of plants. The TROPI 1 experiment
was performed on the ISS in late 2006. Video data collection was
compromised due to software problems and neither video nor RNA data
from fractional g levels were obtained. The re-flight of the TROPI
experiment provides an opportunity to collect video and RNA data from
two experiment runs at four g levels; micro-g to 1.0g. The
TROPI 2 experiment is scheduled to be launched on STS-130 (20A) and
operate during ISS Increments 22-24 and return on STS-131(19A). 