Scientific projects to be researched by Turkish space travelers Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever at the International Space Station within the scope of the National Space Program have been determined. One of the 13 announced projects to go to space is the 'Message (Microgravity Associated Genetics) Science Mission' developed by Üsküdar Üniversitesi TRGENMER. The project aims to identify genes affected by microgravity whose functions have not yet been discovered, and to determine which immune cells will be directly affected by gravity during space missions using CRISPR gene engineering methods.
A Turk in space in the 100th year of the Republic of Turkey
In 2023, the 100th year of the Republic of Turkey, a Turkish astronaut will conduct research on predetermined projects at the International Space Station. A primary and a backup candidate for space travel were announced at TEKNOFEST, Turkey's Space, Aviation, and Technology Festival. Accordingly, Turkish space travelers Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever (Backup) will be among the team conducting 13 different experiments prepared by universities and research institutions for approximately two weeks at the International Space Station.
13 scientific projects to go to space announced
Following the announcement of the two individuals who will be space travelers in 2023 within the scope of the National Space Program, the experiments to be carried out under the program were announced. One of the experiments that Turkish astronauts will perform, focusing on 13 projects for 14 days at the International Space Station, is the “Message (Microgravity Associated Genetics) Science Mission” project developed by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Transgenic Cell Technologies and Epigenetic Application and Research Center (TRGENMER). The project, put forth by Üsküdar Üniversitesi TRGENMER researchers, will be taken to the International Space Station by Turkish space travelers Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever.
The project draws attention to an important area for our future in space
Research applications for space were evaluated by a commission consisting of experts from TÜBİTAK, TUA, and Axiom Space. Criteria such as scientific contribution, value, cost, timeline, feasibility, and compatibility with International Space Station infrastructures are known to be influential in project selection.
Among the projects determined after long examinations, the “Microgravity Associated Genetics Science Mission” experiment developed by Üsküdar TRGENMER Researchers; Büşra Tekirdağlı, Özge Demir, Ebru Çam, Fatmanur Erkek, Berranur Sert, and Gamze Gülden was selected for the space mission.
The project draws attention to a highly significant area for our future in space. Project Manager Dr. Lecturer Cihan Taştan stated regarding the experiment: “We aim to analyze the genetic profile of our Turkish Astronaut and investigate the anti-cancer, proliferation, and immunogenic effects in an Acoustic Levitation Device that provides a microgravity environment. We will identify genes affected by microgravity whose functions have not yet been discovered, and research which immune cells will be directly affected by gravity during space missions using CRISPR gene engineering methods.”