Human Life Research on ISS Russian Segment
FRTL-5 Experiment
Experiment FRTL-5 forms part of the scientific research program performed by Italian Astronaut Roberto Vittori (ESA)
on the Russian Segment of the ISS in the frame of ENEIDE ISM Project.
The European Space Agency is a customer of the preparation and implementation of the research program.
Objective:
Assess the effects of Space ambience (microgravity, radiation) on normal, differentiated in vitro cultures of Fisher rat thyroid cells. This unique in vitro
test system allow to use cells in quiescent state (non proliferating) which can be kept almost indefinitely without culture medium exchanges
or any manipulations.
Task:
Exposure of animal cell samples on the ISS RS.
Science Hardware Used:
- Container with 10 culture flasks presenting sealed culture bottles. Each flask will accommodate rat thyroid cell strains
(FRTL5). FRTL-5 cells are presented in two different states, i.e. proliferative and 'standby' (non-proliferative) states, with 5 samples
in each state.
- AQUARIUS B Incubator
for cells exposure on the
ISS RS.
Experiment Results:
Exposed rat thyroid cell strains (FRTL5) returned to the ground.