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Exploration of plant growth and development using the E uropean M odular C ultivation S ystem facility on the I nternational S pace S tation
Author(s) -
Kittang A. I.,
Iversen T. H.,
Fossum K. R.,
Mazars C.,
CarneroDiaz E.,
BoucheronDubuisson E.,
Le Disquet I.,
Legué V.,
Herranz R.,
PeredaLoth V.,
Medina F. J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.871
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1438-8677
pISSN - 1435-8603
DOI - 10.1111/plb.12132
Subject(s) - arabidopsis , plant growth , international space station , modular design , zero gravity , signalling , biology , seedling , aerospace engineering , microbiology and biotechnology , computer science , physics , engineering , botany , biochemistry , operating system , gene , mutant , mechanics
Space experiments provide a unique opportunity to advance our knowledge of how plants respond to the space environment, and specifically to the absence of gravity. The E uropean M odular C ultivation S ystem ( EMCS ) has been designed as a dedicated facility to improve and standardise plant growth in the I nternational S pace S tation ( ISS ). The EMCS is equipped with two centrifuges to perform experiments in microgravity and with variable gravity levels up to 2.0 g . Seven experiments have been performed since the EMCS was operational on the ISS . The objectives of these experiments aimed to elucidate phototropic responses (experiments TROPI ‐1 and ‐2), root gravitropic sensing ( GRAVI ‐1), circumnutation ( MULTIGEN ‐1), cell wall dynamics and gravity resistance ( C ell wall/ R esist wall), proteomic identification of signalling players ( GENARA ‐ A ) and mechanism of Ins P 3 signalling ( P lant signalling). The role of light in cell proliferation and plant development in the absence of gravity is being analysed in an on‐going experiment ( S eedling growth). Based on the lessons learned from the acquired experience, three preselected ISS experiments have been merged and implemented as a single project ( P lant development) to study early phases of seedling development. A T opical Team initiated by E uropean S pace A gency ( ESA ), involving experienced scientists on A rabidopsis space research experiments, aims at establishing a coordinated, long‐term scientific strategy to understand the role of gravity in A rabidopsis growth and development using already existing or planned new hardware.