Name of the experiment:

Comprehensive investigation into the development of animal reproductive cells (gametes) and other body cells under zero gravity conditions.

Purpose of the experiment:

To monitor the development of embryos, stem cells and body cells under zero gravity conditions.

Motivation:

A comprehensive study of gamete development under zero gravity conditions may supply valuable information about embryonic development on earth, where the liquid environment of the developing fetus in the womb creates a micro gravitational force.  The development of these embryonic, stem and somatic (body) cells is, however, retarded when these cells are grown under the earths gravitational force in an incubator.  Comparing the growth of these cell types under zero gravity conditions during the space mission with cells grown in an incubator on earth, as well as comparing these cells with naturally grown cells in live experimental animals on earth, will give us the answers to the effect of gravity on gamete development.

Tasks:

The experiment will consist of three parts:

• In vitro (in a portable incubator) culture of mammalian (mice and sheep) embryos, comparing them with embryos cultured under similar conditions on earth in an incubator (in vitro) and in experimental animals.

• Culturing of stem (undifferentiated) cells in vitro in the portable incubator in space comparing them to stem cells grown in vitro on earth, as well as in experimental animals.

• Culturing of somatic (body) cells in vitro in the portable incubator in space comparing them to stem cells grown in vitro on earth, as well as in experimental animals.