Biochemical and Molecular Biological Analyses of space-flown nematodes in Japan, the First International Caenorhabditis elegans Experiment (ICE-First).

The first International Caenorhabditis elegans Experiment (ICE-First) was carried out using a Russian Soyuz spacecraft from April 19-30, 2004. This experiment was a part of the program of the DELTA (Dutch Expedition for Life science Technology and Atmospheric research) mission, and the space agencies that participate in the International Space Station (ISS) program formed international research teams. A Japanese research team that conducted by Japan aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) investigated the following aspects of the organism: (1) whether meiotic chromosomal dynamics and apoptosis in the germ cells were normal under microgravity conditions, (2) the effect of the space flight on muscle cell development, and (3) the effect of the space flight on protein aggregation. In this article, we summarize the results of these biochemical and molecular biological analyses.

Development and verification of hardware for life science experiments in the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" on the International Space Station.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has developed a cell biology experiment facility (CBEF) and a clean bench (CB) as a common hardware in which life science experiments in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM known as "Kibo") of the International Space Station (ISS) can be performed. The CBEF, a CO2 incubator with a turntable that provides variable gravity levels, is the basic hardware required to carry out the biological experiments using microorganisms, cells, tissues, small animals, plants, etc. The CB provides a closed aseptic operation area for life science and biotechnology experiments in Kibo. A phase contrast and fluorescence microscope is installed inside CB. The biological experiment units (BEU) are designed to run individual experiments using the CBEF and the CB. A plant experiment unit (PEU) and two cell experiment units (CEU type1 and type2) for the BEU have been developed.

Developmental status of Aquatic Animal Experiment Facility, Aquatic Habitat (AQH), for International Space Station.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have been studying Aquatic Animal Experiment Facility, Aquatic Habitat (AQH), for International Space Station (ISS). The AQH will have the capabilities to accommodate small freshwater fish and amphibian for maximum 90 days on orbit. Three-generations of small freshwater fish (medaka and zebrafish), and egg through metamorphosis of amphibian (African clawed toad) could be experimented by AQH. Various experimental functions such as automatic feeding, air-water interface, day/night cycle, video observation, and specimen sampling mechanism will be also equipped in AQH. The water circulation system was improved from the past aquatic facilities for Space Shuttle experiments under the consideration of the long life-time, and a brand-new specimen chamber was developed to equip the above various experimental functions. Currently the prototype model of water circulation system and specimen chambers have been manufactured and biological compatibility tests are being conducted with medaka. The current developmental status of AQH is summarized.

Point of a space experiment proposal.

JAXA will solicit research proposals for space flight experiments that would be conducted for less than three years after the selection. In principle, available samples will be limited to Arabidopsis and C. elegans and flight hardware and protocol of space flight experiment will be pre-fixed. Proposals using different combinations of species and flight hardware will not be acceptable. Besides scientific issues, it is very important for proposer to write an impressive proposal. Hypothesis basis research proposal is the accepted standard. Reviewers will dislike a descriptive and unfocused research proposal without hypothesis. Ground preparation experiments, which are not related directly to space experiments, should not be included in the solicitation.