European scientists experienced the plant increase in space

During the European Columbus laboratory has begin the first research, which aim to examine whether plants might produce in outer space. The research, called WAICO ("Waving and coiling of Arabidopsis Roots at Different g-levels' or ripple and roll roots of Arabidopsis at different levels-g), study the effects of weightlessness on the growth of plant roots. Toward this purpose has selected a variety of wild and genetically modified plant Arabidopsis.

This seed will be grown at different levels of severity for a period of 10 to 15 days under controlled temperature, light and wetness. Will be interesting to see if gravity affects somehow to the ripple and roll roots as growing, as in plants growing on Earth. Results are expected to elucidate the feasibility of growing plants in space that are nutritious for astronauts on extended missions. In addition, this experiment will help to better understand the processes of plant growth in order to improve the efficiency of agricultural crops on Earth. For the experiment, conducted by scientists at the Leibniz University of Hannover (Germany) is Biolab using the Columbus laboratory. These facilities are designed to support biological experiments on microorganisms, cells, tissue cultures, small plants and small invertebrates. Scientists documented in real time how roots grow using the video equipment and are on board telemetry facilities. After the experiment, we introduce a fixative in the box to preserve crop seeds in order to analyze them in detail once they return to Earth. The Columbus laboratory, launched in December 2007, is the most important contribution the space agency European International Space Station. It is a cylindrical module of 4.5 meters in diameter which is equipped with a large research instruments. It is expected that over the next ten years very extensive capabilities to provide the scientific community.