Bio-nanosatellite of Wroclaw scientists successfully sent into space

The full name of the project is "Bio-nanosatellite using miniaturised lab-on-chip instruments and methodology for conducting bio-medical research using it in microgravity conditions". It was developed as part of the Lower Silesian Biomedical Technology Zone development programme and the project consortium consisted of the SatRevolution company from Wroclaw, the Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences and three universities - Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw Medical University and Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences.

Wroclaw University of Technology has developed modules

The first Polish bio-nanosatellite was launched from Florida on 13 January and communication with it was established 15 days later. Research conducted by scientists from Wroclaw includes several experiments that would not have been conducted without the team from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology.

- Our team was responsible for the construction of laboratory modules that will make it possible to conduct various biological and medical research. Dedicated lab-chips, optical detection modules, microfluidic management modules and mechanical structures of lab-payload for the satellite were made

- admits Patrycja Śniadek, Ph.D., the work supervisor from the Department of Microsystems at the Faculty of Electronics, Photonics and Microsystems.

Researchers from the Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and Science have created laboratory modules

Research on oncology drugs

One of the experiments concerned the effect of oncology drugs on cultured cancer cells. Previous studies have shown that microgravity can have a beneficial effect on the treatment process. The results of the conducted research are to help scientists from the Medical University in the process of developing new oncology therapies, antibiotics or drugs.

- The aim of the project was to develop the so-called CubeSat bio-nanosatellite to conduct research on the impact of microgravity and cosmic radiation on the properties of living biological samples and determine in a metrological way their biological potential, degradation, as well as the impact of drugs and other substances

- says Julita Kulbacka, PhD, professor of the University of Medical Sciences.

Fungi sent into space

Scientists from the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences have sent fungi of the Fusarium culmorum species into space. This species spores and grows quickly, and its structures make it possible to assess its development using miniaturised optical systems placed on the satellite. In addition, the fungi are very resistant to sudden changes in ambient temperature.

- We know that the species we are sending will withstand temperatures as low as minus 250 degrees. We have tested this on Earth. However, we want to see if it will also function in space, where there is a specific microgravity that is many times lower than on the Earth surface

- says Prof. Krzysztof Matkowski from the Department of Phytopathology and Mycology of Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences.

Prof. Krzysztof Matkowski's team will assess the impact of space conditions on fungal biology

The aim of the research is to check whether the cosmic conditions influence the biology of the fungus. This type of experiment will be very important in the context of potential attempts to place larger organisms in space. The presence of fungi in the ecosystem is extremely important and is a prerequisite for intensive and long-lasting plant growth, among other things.

- We were driven by curiosity whether in conditions significantly different from those prevailing on Earth, this organism will develop in the same way, or maybe differently, or maybe in a way which is completely incomprehensible and strange to us

- adds Prof. Matkowski.