Isolated microalgae that have been delivered to the nation from Antarctica throughout the scope of the National Antarctic Science Expedition are set for use in one of many experiments to be carried out in Türkiye’s first area expedition, a bioengineering professor engaged on an “ALGALSPACE” examine famous in her latest interview with Anadolu Agency (AA).
The experiments deliberate to be carried out within the first area mission by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and Space Technologies Research Institute of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBITAK) in the course of the a hundredth anniversary of the Republic have been decided.
Part of the “ALGALSPACE” examine dubbed “A Comparative Study of Antarctic and Temperate Microalgae Cultivation in Space Conditions” is ready to be one of many experiments that can be performed.
Led by professor Didem Balkanlı Özçimen from Yıldız Technical University’s (YTÜ) Bioengineering Department, the examine started in 2019 with the isolation and preservation of the preliminary microalgae samples in gene banks.
Elaborating on the small print of the examine, Özçimen famous that Türkiye and YTÜ have concreted their identify within the science world when contemplating polar microalgae. Adding that the research initiated in 2019 are persevering with, the professor famous she had a possibility to be a part of the National Antarctic Science Expedition in Chile in 2023.
She additionally famous that the Antarctic continent is without doubt one of the closest by way of pure circumstances to area, and defined their examine of microalgae in harsh area circumstances and in a non-gravity setting developed following the yearslong research on the conduct of microalgae within the poles, which is a difficult microenvironment.
According to Özçimen, microalgae holds important potential in numerous essential sectors resembling meals, drugs, cosmetics and power. She emphasised that microalgae are a singular product with distinctive worth for the upcoming area mission performed by Türkiye.
“Microalgae, which are easy to grow and rich in nutrient content, can be used as food for space travelers, as well as increase the oxygen levels in the air, improve air quality, carrying the potential to contribute to the space mission in many areas,” she defined.
Özçimen added they goal to contribute to area research, explaining that for the primary time within the literature, a examine on the microalgae proof against excessive circumstances gathered from Antarctica can be analyzed by way of use in area circumstances.
“The growth of microalgae from the Antarctic and temperate region, and how they react during their growth in space will be examined and the growth data will be then compared,” stated Özçimen.
Highlighting the strategic significance of the mission for the overall evaluation of polar microalgae Özçimen said that the information to be obtained on the finish of the examine will contribute to each the literature and the applied sciences to be developed in future area missions, and can be an inspiration to younger researchers who will work not solely in bodily sciences but additionally life sciences.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
