Fact Sheet

Text Size

(Polca)
04.26.13

OpNom:

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery

Experiment Overview

This content was provided by , and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

Information provided courtesy of the Erasmus Experiment Archive.
Brief Summary

Polca will study the Brassica napus (rape seed) plant on the ISS to determine root gravitropism (root curvature).

Principal Investigator(s)

Information Pending

Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

Information Pending

Developer(s)
Information Pending

Sponsoring Space Agency

European Space Agency (ESA)

Sponsoring Organization

Information Pending

Research Benefits

Information Pending

ISS Expedition Duration

October 2008 - April 2009

Expeditions Assigned

18

Previous ISS Missions

Information Pending

^ back to top


Experiment Description

Research Overview

  • Polca will grow Brassica napus plants on board the ISS in experiment containers in the Kubik centrifuge/incubator.


  • Following incubation and centrifugation inside the Kubik, Polca samples will be fixed and returned to Earth for examination by investigators to determine the gravitropism (root curvature) and calcium distribution in microgravity.

Description

The aim of this study is to understand the signal transduction mechanism of Brassica napusroot gravitropism during change of polarity of the root statocyte. More specifically, the following objectives are proposed:

  • Determine calcium distribution in statocytes in 1g, microgravity and during 1g greater than microgravity or microgravity greater than 1.g transition

  • Determine calmodulin localization in statocytes in 1g, microgravity and during 1g greater than microgravity or microgravity greater than 1g transition

^ back to top


Applications

Space Applications

Information Pending

Earth Applications

Information Pending

^ back to top


Operations

Operational Requirements

Information Pending

Operational Protocols

Seeds in experiment containers (ECs) are launched dry at ambient temperature (+4 degrees C to +30 degrees C). While on orbit, installation of ECs in Kubik centrifuge/incubator, and automated activation by hydration of seeds at +22 degrees C (+20 degrees C to +25 degrees C). Incubation of ECs during 44-hours, with sequence of automated events/crew activities: Hydration, incubation, ECs exchange between centrifuge and static positions, incubation (10minutes/-0min, +5min) then automatic fixation, 2 hour re-incubation and wash steps. After fixation and wash, ECs should preferably be maintained at +6 degrees C, but can be kept for at least 24-hours at ambient temperature. During Soyuz download phase the experiment can be maintained at ambient temperature (+4 degrees C to +30 degrees C range) for at least 24-hours. Transport of samples from landing site to the investigators laboratory at +4 degrees C, +6 degrees C is preferred (+4 degrees C to +8 degrees C). Review Cycle Status: MSci Draft

^ back to top


Results/More Information

Information Pending

^ back to top


Related Websites

^ back to top


Imagery

Information provided by the investigation team to the ISS Program Scientist's Office.
If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Research-Helpline.
› Back To Top