Arabidops-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. 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.