COMMERCIAL GENERIC BIOPROCESSING APPARATUS SCIENCE INSERT-01: C. ELEGANS AND SEED
GERMINATION (CSI-01), TWO INVESTIGATIONS
Research Area: Classroom Versions of ISS Investigations
Expedition(s): 14- 15
Principal Investigator(s): ● Louis S. Stodieck, PhD, University of Colorado, BioServe Space
Technologies, Boulder, ColoradoRESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Commercial Generic Bioprocessing
Apparatus Science Insert - 01 (CSI-01) is
comprised of 2 educational experiments
utilized by middle school students in the
Unites States and Malaysia. One
experiment examines seed germination in
microgravity including gravitropism (plant
growth towards gravity) and phototropism
(plant growth towards light). The second
experiment examines how microgravity
affects the model organism,
Caenorhabditis elegans, a small nematode
worm. Thousands of students began
participating in the experiments in
February 2007.EARTH BENEFITS
CSI-01 provides a unique educational
opportunity to encourage and inspire
students to pursue careers in the scientific
and technical fields by participating in near
real-time research activities on the ISS.SPACE BENEFITS
Influences children to continue their
education in the science, technology,
engineering, and math areas (STEM) and
pursue related careers. This type of
experiment promotes the next generation of
scientists, engineers, and crew members for
the space program. In addition, scientific research with the CHab and GHab experiments is
expected to provide a greater understanding of the effects of spaceflight on biological
organisms.ISS014E20211 - Astronaut Sunita L. Williams, Expeditions 14
and 15 flight engineer, seen here with 2 G-Habs as part of the
CSI-01 investigation. The G-Habs are placed in the
Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus where their
germination will be studied.
ISS014E20219 - A close-up view of astronaut Sunita L.
Williams, Expeditions 14 and 15 flight engineer, activating
the alfalfa seed in the G-Hab for the CSI-01 investigation.