Researchers from the AMU Faculty of Biology have prepared for space flight yeast modified by the addition of a tardigrade gene. The yeast has already flown ...
The experiment (acronym: Yeast TardigradeGene), which will be conducted on the International Space Station (ISS), will test yeast genetically modified as a result of the incorporation of the tardigrade gene into its genome. The gene is responsible for the synthesis of a mitochondrial protein called AOX. It has been linked to the resistance of tardigrade yeast to extreme environmental conditions. The effect of tardigrade AOX on yeast cell survival under the microgravity conditions prevailing on the ISS will be examined. The results obtained will be relevant to define the feasibility of using such modified yeast as biofactories on Mars, the Moon or during space travel.
Tardigrades are known to have a great deal of resilience to extreme habitat conditions. It is therefore assumed that thanks to their genes, at least part of this resilience can be ‘ adopted’ by the cells of other organisms, including yeast.
The project team consisted of the AMU Faculty of Biology, Prof Hanna Kmita, Dr Andonis Karachitos, Prof Nina Antos-Krzemińska and Prof Łukasz Kaczmarek. From the Institute of Physics at the University of Szczecin, Prof Ewa Szuszkiewicz (project coordinator) and Prof US Franco Ferrari, from the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Prof UŚ Izabela Poprawa.
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