BIOKIS: A Model Payload for Multidisciplinary Experiments in Microgravity

Abstract

In this paper we report about the BIOKIS payload: a multidisciplinary set of experiments and measurements in the fields of Biology (4) and Dosimetry (3) performed in microgravity. BIOKIS took ad-

Space Flight Effects on Antioxidant Molecules in Dry Tardigrades: The TARDIKISS Experiment

“…On the contrary the analysis of antioxidant defences in desiccated tardigrades of the TARDIKISS experiment showed fewer differences related to space flight even if the tendency was similar to that recorded in hydrated metabolically active animals of the TARSE experiment. A similar trend between TARSE and TARDIKISS experiments was also detected in regard to tardigrade survival since flight animals did not show significant differences in survival from temperature laboratory control ones [ 1 , 11 ]. Only in R. oberhaeuseri (TARDIKISS experiment) a significant decrease in survival rate was recorded between F and TC samples, the species in which a significant decrease of the C22:6 n-3 fatty acid and of glutathione reductase activity and, even though not significant, of the activity of the other ROS scavenging enzymes were detected.…”

“…The TARDIKISS project was part of the BIOKIS (Biokon in Space) payload: a set of multidisciplinary experiments in the field of biology and dosimetry performed in microgravity condition during the DAMA (Dark Matter) mission organized by Italian Space Agency (ASI) and Italian Air Force in 2011. This mission supported the execution of experiments in short duration (16 days) taking the advantage of the microgravity environment on board of the last mission (STS-134) of Space Shuttle Endeavour docked to the International Space Station (ISS) [ 11 ].…”

“…Papers with desiccated tardigrades were stored in twelve small plastic Petri dishes (1.8 cm × 1.0 cm) enveloped with parafilm and integrated within the Biokon facility (Kayser Italia), where a radiation dosimeter for neutrons and i -button data logger recorded temperature were also present [ 11 ]. During the entire flight mission the temperature profile was relatively constant ranging from 21°C to 25°C [ 11 ], while the dose equivalent rates due to space radiation exposure were 320 μ Sv (measured by TLD 100 and TLD 700) and 360 μ Sv (measured by TLD 600) [ 11 ].…”

“…On the basis of these results, we developed the new project TARDIKISS (Tardigrades in Space), with the aim to deepen the study of survivorship, life history traits, and regulation of antioxidant defences on alive desiccated tardigrades under space stressors including microgravity exposure. The flight tardigrades of the project TARDIKISS have had a very high survival (more than 91%) and females laid eggs which were able to hatch producing normal newborns able to reproduce in adulthood [ 11 ]. In this paper we compared the molecular pathways of molecules with antioxidant activity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and fatty acid composition between flight tardigrades and ground control ones with the final aim to provide news about the biochemical mechanisms underlying resistance to space stress conditions.…”

The Assessment of Space Radiation Exposure of Biology Experiments during Two Short-Term Missions

“…BIOKON provides a dedicated environment for the execution of life science experiments in microgravity. BIOKON complements effectively all types of biological Experiment Units (EU) regardless the fact that they could require electrical power or not [2].…”