PLANT SIGNALING (PLANT SIGNALING)
Research Area: Plant Biology
Expedition(s): 27 and 28
Principal Investigator(s): ● Imara Y. Perera, PhD, North Carolina State University, Raleigh,
North Carolina
RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES
The Plant
Signaling
experiment
studies the effects
of microgravity on
the growth of
plants. The
experiment is
performed aboard
the International
Space Station (ISS)
in collaboration
with the European
Space Agency
(ESA). Images of
the plants are
captured and
down-linked to
Earth. Samples of
the plants are harvested and returned to Earth for scientific analysis. The results of this
experiment can lead to information that aids in food production during future long-duration
space missions, as well as data to enhance crop production on Earth.
EARTH BENEFITS
Further understanding of how plants grow and develop at a molecular level can lead to
significant advancements in agricultural production on Earth. Understanding mechanisms of
plant development supports improved agricultural production and leads to higher crop yields
on Earth.
SPACE BENEFITS
During long-duration space missions, it is necessary to provide crew members with
regenerative sources of food as well as supplemental methods to recycle carbon dioxide into
breathable oxygen. As new information about how plants grow in microgravity emerges,
sustainable plant-based life support systems may be developed.
Expedition 14 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria performs the European Modular
Cultivation System - Experiment Container replace activity in the Destiny Laboratory
Module.