Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.

By Elias Fragakis
Contributor profile | More stories

Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

ScienceCasts: Glow-in-the-Dark Plants on the ISS - Can Plants Adapt to the Novelty of Climate Change?

Monday, May 6, 2013 14:49

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

May 6, 2013: The world is changing. As greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere, global temperatures are on the rise. Sea levels inch upward as polar ice retreats. Crops are growing in new places.

The world is changing. The question is, can life change with it?

A batch of genetically engineered plants orbiting Earth on board the ISS may have something to say about this.

“Our environment on Earth is changing, so we need to know how plants respond to novelty,” says molecular biologist Anna-Lisa Paul of the

University of Florida. “Spaceflight is outside the evolutionary experience of any terrestrial organism. Learning how plants respond to this unique environment can also tell us how plants respond to new challenges on Earth.”

Follow the link to watch the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWHqss52Fn4

IMAGE: NASA

Paul and colleague Rob Ferl are principal investigators of an experiment on the ISS called TAGES, the Transgenic Arabidopsis Gene Expression System.

For the past two years, they have been using the ABRS experimental growth chamber on board the space station to grow a garden of Arabidopsis thaliana, also known as “thale cress.” Cameras captured growth rates, root patterns, and a strange green glow.

“We genetically modified the plant to glow when it is under stress,” explains Paul. “This can tell us a lot about how Arabidopsis adapts to the microgravity environment.”

IMAGE: NASA

Learning how plants adapt to new situations is crucial to climate change research. In terms of global biomass, plants outweigh mammals by a factor of 1000. They are a dominant part of the biosphere, playing a key role in the carbon cycle.

Scientists and farmers have been experimenting with plants for centuries, yet at a fundamental, genetic level, much remains unknown.

IMAGE: NASA

This is why Paul and Ferl have been putting Arabidopsis through its paces, exposing the plant to extremes of pressure, temperature, and drought. Most of their work has been done on Earth–but some extremes can only be found in space.

“Removing gravity from the equation reveals unique aspects of cell growth and development that we cannot discover in any other way,” says Ferl. “The International Space Station is a great place to do this.”

Visit

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/06may_arabidopsis/

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

LION'S MANE PRODUCT

Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules

Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.

Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.

Comments

Visits:	1,708,647,295
Stories:	8,450,881