Andrew Yee[_1_]
March 20th 08, 01:58 AM
ETH Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland
28.02.08
Root-coilers in space
By Thomas Langholz
The European Columbus Space Laboratory has begun its work. One of the first
experiments studies the behaviour of plants in conditions of weightlessness.
The experiments are controlled from Zurich by ETH Zurich space biologists.
After the Atlantis space shuttle had returned to Earth safely, the three
astronauts who had remained on the ISS International Space Station began to
complete an extensive research programme. The first experiment in the
Columbus Biolab module concerns itself with the behaviour of plants in zero
gravity. The experiment's name -- WAICO -- stands for "Waving and Coiling of
Aridopsis roots at different g-levels".
Plants can detect weightlessness and adjust their growth movements
accordingly. Roots grow towards the centre of the Earth and shoots grow away
from the Earth's centre. This process is called gravitropism. Plants control
this growth via gravitation sensors, statoliths, in the root cap.
Another phenomenon is that roots grow in coils or waves. Growth in coils is
called circumnutation. The researchers hope the experiments will help
provide important information about the various factors influencing plant
growth.
Important knowledge about plant growth
The Arabidopsis plant, also called thale cress, will be used to study the
two phenomena. The experiment will employ two different seeds; firstly the
naturally-occurring wild type and secondly a genetically modified form. The
genetically modified form has a very small response to gravity.
Four series of experiments will be germinated in space under Earth-like
conditions (1 G) for two days. Then two series will be subjected to zero
gravity. Sonia Vadrucci, Head of the Biotechnology Space Support Center
(Biotesc), which is conducting the experiments, says: "This means we have
several growing plants: in each case we have the wild type and the
genetically modified type under Earth-like conditions, and the same series
in zero gravity."
Up to now it has been unclear whether spiral growth (circumnutation) is
affected by gravity or whether it is an internal plant mechanism that
happens even without gravity. Based on the shape of the roots, the
researchers will afterwards be able to determine how the mechanism operates.
It could be that the coiling (circumnutation) is independent of gravity, and
the roots will then grow in a spiral shape. Gravitropism will stretch the
roots and form waves. With the mutant form, which does not respond so
strongly to gravity, the roots will then develop a coiled shape. Under
micro-gravity conditions the wild type would now also form spirals to a
greater extent because gravitropism can no longer take effect. On the other
hand, if coiling depends on gravity and the latter is absent, the roots will
no longer have a spiral shape but will grow straight and more elongated.
One hour of live images from space
ETH Zurich space biologists will look after the Hanover University
experiment. The space biologists are satisfied so far. The module was
commissioned successfully and preparations for the experiment are going
according to plan.
With the experiment underway, the Zurich researchers can follow it live for
one hour each day: a camera transmits the images from the ISS research
station. Sonia Vadrucci explains that "the Columbus space laboratory enables
us to intervene in the experiments directly from the ground. For example the
moisture for the plants can be regulated."
After the experiments have been completed, the samples will be returned to
Earth with the next shuttle mission in late March. The plants will then be
studied using molecular and cell biology methods to track down the cellular
mechanisms.
Links and references:
* ETH Life article about the Columbus space laboratory
http://www.ethlife.ethz.ch/archive_articles/080208_Columbus_Start/index
* ETH Life article about the ETH Space Biology Group's KUBIK
http://www.ethlife.ethz.ch/archive_articles/071105_Space_Bilology/index
* Link to the ETH Space Biology Group
http://www.spacebiol.ethz.ch/
IMAGE CAPTIONS:
[Image 1:
http://www.ethlife.ethz.ch/archive_articles/080228_Weltraumbiologie_WAICO/080228_Bild_WAICO_l?hires
(299KB)]
The different root growth patterns are clearly recognisable here. The wild
type is at the top. It responds to gravity and prefers to form wavy roots.
The coil-shaped roots are visible in the case of the genetically modified
seeds (bottom). Photo: NASA
[Image 2:
http://www.ethlife.ethz.ch/archive_articles/080228_Weltraumbiologie_WAICO/080228_Bild_WAICO_1?hires
(113KB)]
The Biolab module in the Columbus space laboratory. This is where the
experiments are taking place.
[Image 3:
http://www.ethlife.ethz.ch/archive_articles/080228_Weltraumbiologie_WAICO/080228_Bild_WAICO_Experimentenschrank?hires
(360KB)]
The experiments are performed in this experimental chamber. This is a photo
of a prototype model in the Space Biology Group of ETH Zurich. Photo: ETH
Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland
28.02.08
Root-coilers in space
By Thomas Langholz
The European Columbus Space Laboratory has begun its work. One of the first
experiments studies the behaviour of plants in conditions of weightlessness.
The experiments are controlled from Zurich by ETH Zurich space biologists.
After the Atlantis space shuttle had returned to Earth safely, the three
astronauts who had remained on the ISS International Space Station began to
complete an extensive research programme. The first experiment in the
Columbus Biolab module concerns itself with the behaviour of plants in zero
gravity. The experiment's name -- WAICO -- stands for "Waving and Coiling of
Aridopsis roots at different g-levels".
Plants can detect weightlessness and adjust their growth movements
accordingly. Roots grow towards the centre of the Earth and shoots grow away
from the Earth's centre. This process is called gravitropism. Plants control
this growth via gravitation sensors, statoliths, in the root cap.
Another phenomenon is that roots grow in coils or waves. Growth in coils is
called circumnutation. The researchers hope the experiments will help
provide important information about the various factors influencing plant
growth.
Important knowledge about plant growth
The Arabidopsis plant, also called thale cress, will be used to study the
two phenomena. The experiment will employ two different seeds; firstly the
naturally-occurring wild type and secondly a genetically modified form. The
genetically modified form has a very small response to gravity.
Four series of experiments will be germinated in space under Earth-like
conditions (1 G) for two days. Then two series will be subjected to zero
gravity. Sonia Vadrucci, Head of the Biotechnology Space Support Center
(Biotesc), which is conducting the experiments, says: "This means we have
several growing plants: in each case we have the wild type and the
genetically modified type under Earth-like conditions, and the same series
in zero gravity."
Up to now it has been unclear whether spiral growth (circumnutation) is
affected by gravity or whether it is an internal plant mechanism that
happens even without gravity. Based on the shape of the roots, the
researchers will afterwards be able to determine how the mechanism operates.
It could be that the coiling (circumnutation) is independent of gravity, and
the roots will then grow in a spiral shape. Gravitropism will stretch the
roots and form waves. With the mutant form, which does not respond so
strongly to gravity, the roots will then develop a coiled shape. Under
micro-gravity conditions the wild type would now also form spirals to a
greater extent because gravitropism can no longer take effect. On the other
hand, if coiling depends on gravity and the latter is absent, the roots will
no longer have a spiral shape but will grow straight and more elongated.
One hour of live images from space
ETH Zurich space biologists will look after the Hanover University
experiment. The space biologists are satisfied so far. The module was
commissioned successfully and preparations for the experiment are going
according to plan.
With the experiment underway, the Zurich researchers can follow it live for
one hour each day: a camera transmits the images from the ISS research
station. Sonia Vadrucci explains that "the Columbus space laboratory enables
us to intervene in the experiments directly from the ground. For example the
moisture for the plants can be regulated."
After the experiments have been completed, the samples will be returned to
Earth with the next shuttle mission in late March. The plants will then be
studied using molecular and cell biology methods to track down the cellular
mechanisms.
Links and references:
* ETH Life article about the Columbus space laboratory
http://www.ethlife.ethz.ch/archive_articles/080208_Columbus_Start/index
* ETH Life article about the ETH Space Biology Group's KUBIK
http://www.ethlife.ethz.ch/archive_articles/071105_Space_Bilology/index
* Link to the ETH Space Biology Group
http://www.spacebiol.ethz.ch/
IMAGE CAPTIONS:
[Image 1:
http://www.ethlife.ethz.ch/archive_articles/080228_Weltraumbiologie_WAICO/080228_Bild_WAICO_l?hires
(299KB)]
The different root growth patterns are clearly recognisable here. The wild
type is at the top. It responds to gravity and prefers to form wavy roots.
The coil-shaped roots are visible in the case of the genetically modified
seeds (bottom). Photo: NASA
[Image 2:
http://www.ethlife.ethz.ch/archive_articles/080228_Weltraumbiologie_WAICO/080228_Bild_WAICO_1?hires
(113KB)]
The Biolab module in the Columbus space laboratory. This is where the
experiments are taking place.
[Image 3:
http://www.ethlife.ethz.ch/archive_articles/080228_Weltraumbiologie_WAICO/080228_Bild_WAICO_Experimentenschrank?hires
(360KB)]
The experiments are performed in this experimental chamber. This is a photo
of a prototype model in the Space Biology Group of ETH Zurich. Photo: ETH
Zurich