NASA plans to launch 'tardigrades' and 'shining squid babies' into space
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is 2021 June 3, local time,
SpaceX's 22nd Commercial Resupply Mission to Space Station | NASA
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/spacex-22-research-highlights
Glow-in-the-dark baby squid and tardigrades to be blasted into space | Live Science
https://www.livescience.com/baby-squid-and-tardigrades-launched.html
Kumamushi is a very small animal with a body length of 50 micrometers to 1.7 millimeters, and inhabits a variety of environments from moist ground to underwater, from deep sea to alpine. Such Kumamushi is famous for its extremely high vitality, and it can withstand high temperatures of minus 270 degrees to 150 degrees, and it does not die even if the body's water content reaches 3%, and it is a level that humans would die. It can withstand radiation and vacuum conditions.
In 2019, an Israeli spacecraft carrying tardigrades crashed on the moon, whispering that 'thousands of tardigrades on board could breed on the moon.'
It was discovered that thousands of tardigrades were on the lunar probe that crashed on the moon, and there is a possibility that it will breed on the moon --GIGAZINE
In a new study, gene expression in mussels bred under the microgravity of the ISS will be investigated, and genes involved in adaptation and survival in a high-stress environment will be identified. Experiments with as many as 5,000 tardigrades on the ISS are expected to provide insights into the health effects of long-term space travel.
'Space flight can be a very difficult environment for organisms, including humans, who have evolved in the Earth's environment,' said Thomas Boothby , associate professor of molecular biology at the University of Wyoming and principal investigator of the experiment. And comment. Understanding the systems that tardigrades use to adapt and breed in space can lead to the development of ways to protect astronauts.
by Philippe Garcelon
In addition, 128 babies of Hawaiian squid known as luminescent squid will be sent to the ISS as animals to be used in another experiment. Hawaii Mimi squid has a luminescent organ in its body, and this organ emits light thanks to a bacterium called Aliivibrio fischeri, which has bioluminescent properties.
Hawaii Mimi Squid and Aliivibrio Fischeri are in a symbiotic relationship, and instead of Hawaii Mimi Squid nourishing, Aliivibrio Fischeri emits light, playing a role in camouflage from foreign enemies. Using Hawaiian squid, which is also used as a model animal in the symbiotic relationship between animals and bacteria, the research team wants to investigate beneficial microbial-animal interactions in the space environment.
'Animals, including humans, rely on our microbes to maintain a healthy digestive and immune system,' said Jamie Foster , a microbiologist and principal investigator at the University of Florida. It is not yet fully understood how these beneficial interactions change with space flight. '
Hawaii Mimi squid does not have bacteria from the time of birth, but captures Aliivibrio fischeri that lives in the sea and stores it in the luminous organs. Therefore, the research team will observe how the babies of Hawaiian mimi squid are given bacteria on the ISS and establish a symbiotic relationship. By studying the molecules produced in the process of building this symbiotic relationship, the research team can find out which genes Hawaii Mimiika turned on or off to establish a symbiotic relationship in space. Is believed to be.
by Jamie S. Foster / University of Florida
Furthermore, in this replenishment mission, 'Mobile computing device using portable ultrasonic waves', 'Remote control interface such as robot arm', 'Experimental kit for investigating the mechanism of kidney stone formation during space flight', 'Water and Experimental kits aimed at developing tough cotton to reduce the use of pesticides and new solar panels to increase the energy available for onboard activities will also be sent to the ISS.
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