A novel device to study altered gravity and light interactions in seedling tropisms

Giovanna Aronne; Lucius Wilhelminus Franciscus Muthert; Luigi Gennaro Izzo; Leone Ermes Romano; Maurizio Iovane; Fiore Capozzi; Aránzazu Manzano; Malgorzata Ciska; Raúl Herranz; F. Javier Medina; John Z. Kiss; Jack J.W.A. van Loon

doi:10.1016/j.lssr.2021.09.005

A novel device to study altered gravity and light interactions in seedling tropisms

Giovanna Aronne, Lucius Wilhelminus Franciscus Muthert, Luigi Gennaro Izzo^*, Leone Ermes Romano, Maurizio Iovane, Fiore Capozzi, Aránzazu Manzano, Malgorzata Ciska, Raúl Herranz, F. Javier Medina, John Z. Kiss, Jack J.W.A. van Loon

^*Corresponding author for this work

Maxillofacial Surgery

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Long-duration space missions will need to rely on the use of plants in bio-regenerative life support systems (BLSSs) because these systems can produce fresh food and oxygen, reduce carbon dioxide levels, recycle metabolic waste, and purify water. In this scenario, the need for new experiments on the effects of altered gravity conditions on plant biological processes is increasing, and significant efforts should be devoted to new ideas aimed at increasing the scientific output and lowering the experimental costs. Here, we report the design of an easy-to-produce and inexpensive device conceived to analyze the effect of interaction between gravity and light on root tropisms. Each unit consisted of a polystyrene multi-slot rack with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), capable of holding Petri dishes and assembled with a particular filter-paper folding. The device was successfully used for the ROOTROPS (for root tropisms) experiment performed in the Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC) and Random Positioning Machine (RPM) at ESA's European Space Research and Technology centre (ESTEC). During the experiments, four light treatments and six gravity conditions were factorially combined to study their effects on root orientation of Brassica oleracea seedlings. Light treatments (red, blue, and white) and a dark condition were tested under four hypergravity levels (20 g, 15 g, 10 g, 5 g), a 1 g control, and a simulated microgravity (RPM) condition. Results of validation tests showed that after 24 h, the assembled system remained unaltered, no slipping or displacement of seedlings occurred at any hypergravity treatment or on the RPM, and seedlings exhibited robust growth. Overall, the device was effective and reliable in achieving scientific goals, suggesting that it can be used for ground-based research on phototropism-gravitropism interactions. Moreover, the concepts developed can be further expanded for use in future spaceflight experiments with plants.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	8-16
Number of pages	9
Journal	Life Sciences in Space Research
Volume	32
Early online date	6 Oct 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lssr.2021.09.005
Publication status	Published - Feb 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Authors acknowledge Andrea Buonanno's contribution to create all parts of the ROOTROPS device in CATIA V5. We would also like to thank Mr. Alan Dowson from ESA-ESTEC TEC-MMG LIS Lab for his support in preparation and during this study. This work was supported by the ESA-HRE CORA contract #4000127705/19/NL/PG/pt. Financial support was also provided by ESA-TEC contract #4000116223/16/NL/KML/hh to Jack J.W.A. van Loon, by Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigaci?n (grant RTI2018?099309-B-I00, co-funded by EU-ERDF) to F. Javier Medina, and by NASA (grant 80NSSC17K0546) to John Z. Kiss.

Funding Information:
Authors acknowledge Andrea Buonanno's contribution to create all parts of the ROOTROPS device in CATIA V5. We would also like to thank Mr. Alan Dowson from ESA-ESTEC TEC-MMG LIS Lab for his support in preparation and during this study. This work was supported by the ESA-HRE CORA contract #4000127705/19/NL/PG/pt . Financial support was also provided by ESA-TEC contract #4000116223/16/NL/KML/hh to Jack J.W.A. van Loon, by Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (grant RTI2018–099309-B-I00 , co-funded by EU-ERDF ) to F. Javier Medina, and by NASA (grant 80NSSC17K0546 ) to John Z. Kiss.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)

Funding

Authors acknowledge Andrea Buonanno's contribution to create all parts of the ROOTROPS device in CATIA V5. We would also like to thank Mr. Alan Dowson from ESA-ESTEC TEC-MMG LIS Lab for his support in preparation and during this study. This work was supported by the ESA-HRE CORA contract #4000127705/19/NL/PG/pt. Financial support was also provided by ESA-TEC contract #4000116223/16/NL/KML/hh to Jack J.W.A. van Loon, by Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigaci?n (grant RTI2018?099309-B-I00, co-funded by EU-ERDF) to F. Javier Medina, and by NASA (grant 80NSSC17K0546) to John Z. Kiss. Authors acknowledge Andrea Buonanno's contribution to create all parts of the ROOTROPS device in CATIA V5. We would also like to thank Mr. Alan Dowson from ESA-ESTEC TEC-MMG LIS Lab for his support in preparation and during this study. This work was supported by the ESA-HRE CORA contract #4000127705/19/NL/PG/pt . Financial support was also provided by ESA-TEC contract #4000116223/16/NL/KML/hh to Jack J.W.A. van Loon, by Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (grant RTI2018–099309-B-I00 , co-funded by EU-ERDF ) to F. Javier Medina, and by NASA (grant 80NSSC17K0546 ) to John Z. Kiss.

Funders	Funder number
ESA-TEC	4000116223/16/NL/KML/hh
National Aeronautics and Space Administration	80NSSC17K0546
European Space Agency	4000127705/19/NL/PG/pt
European Regional Development Fund
Agencia Estatal de Investigación	RTI2018–099309-B-I00

Keywords

Gravitropism
Hypergravity
Phototropism
Root tropisms
Simulated microgravity
Tropism interaction

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.lssr.2021.09.005

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title = "A novel device to study altered gravity and light interactions in seedling tropisms",

abstract = "Long-duration space missions will need to rely on the use of plants in bio-regenerative life support systems (BLSSs) because these systems can produce fresh food and oxygen, reduce carbon dioxide levels, recycle metabolic waste, and purify water. In this scenario, the need for new experiments on the effects of altered gravity conditions on plant biological processes is increasing, and significant efforts should be devoted to new ideas aimed at increasing the scientific output and lowering the experimental costs. Here, we report the design of an easy-to-produce and inexpensive device conceived to analyze the effect of interaction between gravity and light on root tropisms. Each unit consisted of a polystyrene multi-slot rack with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), capable of holding Petri dishes and assembled with a particular filter-paper folding. The device was successfully used for the ROOTROPS (for root tropisms) experiment performed in the Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC) and Random Positioning Machine (RPM) at ESA's European Space Research and Technology centre (ESTEC). During the experiments, four light treatments and six gravity conditions were factorially combined to study their effects on root orientation of Brassica oleracea seedlings. Light treatments (red, blue, and white) and a dark condition were tested under four hypergravity levels (20 g, 15 g, 10 g, 5 g), a 1 g control, and a simulated microgravity (RPM) condition. Results of validation tests showed that after 24 h, the assembled system remained unaltered, no slipping or displacement of seedlings occurred at any hypergravity treatment or on the RPM, and seedlings exhibited robust growth. Overall, the device was effective and reliable in achieving scientific goals, suggesting that it can be used for ground-based research on phototropism-gravitropism interactions. Moreover, the concepts developed can be further expanded for use in future spaceflight experiments with plants.",

keywords = "Gravitropism, Hypergravity, Phototropism, Root tropisms, Simulated microgravity, Tropism interaction",

author = "Giovanna Aronne and Muthert, {Lucius Wilhelminus Franciscus} and Izzo, {Luigi Gennaro} and Romano, {Leone Ermes} and Maurizio Iovane and Fiore Capozzi and Ar{\'a}nzazu Manzano and Malgorzata Ciska and Ra{\'u}l Herranz and Medina, {F. Javier} and Kiss, {John Z.} and {van Loon}, {Jack J.W.A.}",

note = "Funding Information: Authors acknowledge Andrea Buonanno's contribution to create all parts of the ROOTROPS device in CATIA V5. We would also like to thank Mr. Alan Dowson from ESA-ESTEC TEC-MMG LIS Lab for his support in preparation and during this study. This work was supported by the ESA-HRE CORA contract #4000127705/19/NL/PG/pt. Financial support was also provided by ESA-TEC contract #4000116223/16/NL/KML/hh to Jack J.W.A. van Loon, by Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigaci?n (grant RTI2018?099309-B-I00, co-funded by EU-ERDF) to F. Javier Medina, and by NASA (grant 80NSSC17K0546) to John Z. Kiss. Funding Information: Authors acknowledge Andrea Buonanno's contribution to create all parts of the ROOTROPS device in CATIA V5. We would also like to thank Mr. Alan Dowson from ESA-ESTEC TEC-MMG LIS Lab for his support in preparation and during this study. This work was supported by the ESA-HRE CORA contract #4000127705/19/NL/PG/pt . Financial support was also provided by ESA-TEC contract #4000116223/16/NL/KML/hh to Jack J.W.A. van Loon, by Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigaci{\'o}n (grant RTI2018–099309-B-I00 , co-funded by EU-ERDF ) to F. Javier Medina, and by NASA (grant 80NSSC17K0546 ) to John Z. Kiss. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)",

year = "2022",

month = feb,

doi = "10.1016/j.lssr.2021.09.005",

language = "English",

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T1 - A novel device to study altered gravity and light interactions in seedling tropisms

AU - Aronne, Giovanna

AU - Muthert, Lucius Wilhelminus Franciscus

AU - Izzo, Luigi Gennaro

AU - Romano, Leone Ermes

AU - Iovane, Maurizio

AU - Capozzi, Fiore

AU - Manzano, Aránzazu

AU - Ciska, Malgorzata

AU - Herranz, Raúl

AU - Medina, F. Javier

AU - Kiss, John Z.

AU - van Loon, Jack J.W.A.

N1 - Funding Information: Authors acknowledge Andrea Buonanno's contribution to create all parts of the ROOTROPS device in CATIA V5. We would also like to thank Mr. Alan Dowson from ESA-ESTEC TEC-MMG LIS Lab for his support in preparation and during this study. This work was supported by the ESA-HRE CORA contract #4000127705/19/NL/PG/pt. Financial support was also provided by ESA-TEC contract #4000116223/16/NL/KML/hh to Jack J.W.A. van Loon, by Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigaci?n (grant RTI2018?099309-B-I00, co-funded by EU-ERDF) to F. Javier Medina, and by NASA (grant 80NSSC17K0546) to John Z. Kiss. Funding Information: Authors acknowledge Andrea Buonanno's contribution to create all parts of the ROOTROPS device in CATIA V5. We would also like to thank Mr. Alan Dowson from ESA-ESTEC TEC-MMG LIS Lab for his support in preparation and during this study. This work was supported by the ESA-HRE CORA contract #4000127705/19/NL/PG/pt . Financial support was also provided by ESA-TEC contract #4000116223/16/NL/KML/hh to Jack J.W.A. van Loon, by Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (grant RTI2018–099309-B-I00 , co-funded by EU-ERDF ) to F. Javier Medina, and by NASA (grant 80NSSC17K0546 ) to John Z. Kiss. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)

PY - 2022/2

Y1 - 2022/2

N2 - Long-duration space missions will need to rely on the use of plants in bio-regenerative life support systems (BLSSs) because these systems can produce fresh food and oxygen, reduce carbon dioxide levels, recycle metabolic waste, and purify water. In this scenario, the need for new experiments on the effects of altered gravity conditions on plant biological processes is increasing, and significant efforts should be devoted to new ideas aimed at increasing the scientific output and lowering the experimental costs. Here, we report the design of an easy-to-produce and inexpensive device conceived to analyze the effect of interaction between gravity and light on root tropisms. Each unit consisted of a polystyrene multi-slot rack with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), capable of holding Petri dishes and assembled with a particular filter-paper folding. The device was successfully used for the ROOTROPS (for root tropisms) experiment performed in the Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC) and Random Positioning Machine (RPM) at ESA's European Space Research and Technology centre (ESTEC). During the experiments, four light treatments and six gravity conditions were factorially combined to study their effects on root orientation of Brassica oleracea seedlings. Light treatments (red, blue, and white) and a dark condition were tested under four hypergravity levels (20 g, 15 g, 10 g, 5 g), a 1 g control, and a simulated microgravity (RPM) condition. Results of validation tests showed that after 24 h, the assembled system remained unaltered, no slipping or displacement of seedlings occurred at any hypergravity treatment or on the RPM, and seedlings exhibited robust growth. Overall, the device was effective and reliable in achieving scientific goals, suggesting that it can be used for ground-based research on phototropism-gravitropism interactions. Moreover, the concepts developed can be further expanded for use in future spaceflight experiments with plants.

AB - Long-duration space missions will need to rely on the use of plants in bio-regenerative life support systems (BLSSs) because these systems can produce fresh food and oxygen, reduce carbon dioxide levels, recycle metabolic waste, and purify water. In this scenario, the need for new experiments on the effects of altered gravity conditions on plant biological processes is increasing, and significant efforts should be devoted to new ideas aimed at increasing the scientific output and lowering the experimental costs. Here, we report the design of an easy-to-produce and inexpensive device conceived to analyze the effect of interaction between gravity and light on root tropisms. Each unit consisted of a polystyrene multi-slot rack with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), capable of holding Petri dishes and assembled with a particular filter-paper folding. The device was successfully used for the ROOTROPS (for root tropisms) experiment performed in the Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC) and Random Positioning Machine (RPM) at ESA's European Space Research and Technology centre (ESTEC). During the experiments, four light treatments and six gravity conditions were factorially combined to study their effects on root orientation of Brassica oleracea seedlings. Light treatments (red, blue, and white) and a dark condition were tested under four hypergravity levels (20 g, 15 g, 10 g, 5 g), a 1 g control, and a simulated microgravity (RPM) condition. Results of validation tests showed that after 24 h, the assembled system remained unaltered, no slipping or displacement of seedlings occurred at any hypergravity treatment or on the RPM, and seedlings exhibited robust growth. Overall, the device was effective and reliable in achieving scientific goals, suggesting that it can be used for ground-based research on phototropism-gravitropism interactions. Moreover, the concepts developed can be further expanded for use in future spaceflight experiments with plants.

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A novel device to study altered gravity and light interactions in seedling tropisms

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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