Baltic Fucus in Space. Effects of micro gravitation on gene expression in Fucus vesiculosus from the Baltic Sea.

We have been allowed to place an experiment on the Suborbital-Express 4-M16 sounding rocket that is scheduled to launch from Esrange between April 12 to 18, 2024, depending on weather. During the flight, the rocket will be in microgravity for 6 minutes. Our experiment consists of small branches from bladderwrack, Fucus vesiculosus from the Baltic Sea.

The aim is to investigate the suitability of bladderwrack as a study organism in space by up- and down-regulation of metabolism under microgravity. This is done through analyzes of mRNA.

The experiment is a pilot study for a larger application to ESA with the aim of investigating whether the reproduction of bladderwrack in the Baltic Sea is controlled by microgravity or the lunar cycle.

This will be the first study of how a perennial macroalgae copes in a space environment and can be used for future space travel.