Purdue study to measure gravity's effects on plant cells in space
Understanding how gravity impacts plants is key for determining the conditions necessary to grow plants in space.
"Being able to grow plants for food in microgravity and space environments is crucial if we're going to reach this amazing future of long-term space exploration that we all imagine," said Jenna Rickus, associate professor in the departments of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. "We tend to think of propulsion and spacecraft technology as the main challenges to space exploration, but the true challenge is really the biology."
Known as "SporeSat," the autonomous, free-flying spacecraft will investigate how variations in gravity affect calcium signalling in germinating spores of the fern Ceratopteris richardii. Calcium signalling - a gravity-directed process - acts as a compass for plants, determining the directions sprouts and roots grow during germination.
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