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.

USED SCIENCE HARDWARE:

• 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.

PURPOSE:

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.

OBJECTIVE:

Exposure of animal cell samples on the ISS RS.

EXPERIMENT RESULTS:

Exposed rat thyroid cell strains (FRTL5) returned to the ground.