Blood samples from the MESSAGE experiment have been delivered!

The blood samples taken by Türkiye's first astronaut Alper Gezeroci in space in a zero-gravity environment reached the TRGENMER laboratory of Üsküdar University.

Within the scope of the MESSAGE (Microgravity Associated Genetics) experiment, which is one of the 13 scientific studies in Türkiye's first manned space mission, blood samples taken by Alper Gezeravcı on the International Space Station were delivered to the MESSAGE team led by Cihan Tastan.

Within the scope of the MESSAGE (Microgravity Associated Genetics) experiment, which is one of the 13 scientific research in Türkiye's first manned space mission, the blood samples taken in space in a zero-gravity environment of Türkiye's first astronaut Alper Gezeravcı reached the TRGENMER laboratory of Üsküdar University.

Director of Üsküdar University Transgenic Cell Technologies and Epigenetics Application and Research Center (TRGENMER) and Project Manager of MESSAGE (Microgravity Associated Genetics) experiment Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan informed on the subject and stated that "Our astronaut Alper Gezeravcı, who stayed in space for 14 days, delivered the blood he took from him on certain days to the TRGENMER laboratory Message team yesterday by TÜBİTAK Space and responsible cargo."

Blood samples were removed to the -80 cabinet in the TRGENMER laboratory

Emphasizing that blood samples are delivered "at standards that can be stable at -80 degrees", Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan said that "Then it was removed to the -80 cabinet in our TRGENMER laboratory."

What will be done with blood samples?

Regarding what to do next about the blood samples, Dr. Taştan made the following remarks: "As the MESSAGE team, the blood samples taken are knocked out with the acoustic levitation device we have developed in the laboratory environment and with the CRISPR/Cas system in 2D culture for control purposes, and then the immune profile is determined, anti-cancer activity is observed, the proliferation of T lymphocytes is examined, and finally the cytokine release profiles are compared We will do our experiments."

When will the results of the experiment be known?

Regarding the result of the experiment, Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan said that "Although we cannot say this clearly at the moment, we aim to discover the reactions of gravity-free environment conditions to cells by starting experiments as of the day the blood arrives, publishing articles as soon as possible, making new gene discoveries."

About the MESSAGE (Microgravity Associated Genetics) experiment...

MESSAGE (Microgravity Associated Genetics) experiment was developed by Üsküdar TRGENMER Researchers Büşra Tekirdağlı, Özge Demir, Ebru Çam, Fatmanur Male, Berranur Sert and Gamze Gülden under the leadership of Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan.

Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan expressed that " With the MESSAGE (Microgravity Associated Genetics) experiment carried out, it was aimed to analyze the genetic profile of the Turkish astronaut and to investigate the Anti-Cancer, Proliferation, and Immunogenic Effects of the Acoustic Levitation Device Providing Microgravity Environment.

CRISPR genetic engineering methods will be used to identify genes whose function has not yet been discovered and to determine which immune cells will be directly affected by gravity in space missions."

Alper Gezeroci had carried out 13 different experiments on the space station

The Dragon capsule and the Axiom-3 mission team, including Türkiye's first astronaut Alper Gezeravcı, landed in the ocean off the coast of Florida on February 9 after spending days on the International Space Station. Alper Gezeravcı carried out 13 different experiments during his two-week stay at the station.
 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)