Fungi from UPWr already in space. If they survive, larger organisms will be sent into orbit

• For the UPWr, the SpaceX orbital mission is a chance to participate in potentially groundbreaking research
• The construction of a scientific satellite is an example of excellent cooperation between Wrocław universities
• UPWr scientists want to see if the fungus will survive in space, where there is a specific microgravity

The research is carried out under the project "Bio-nanosatellite using miniaturised lab-on-chip instruments and methodology for bio-medical research with use in microgravity conditions". It is being implemented by a consortium consisting of SatRevolution (project leader), the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, the Wrocław Medical University and the Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy PAS, as part of the Lower Silesian Biomedical Technology Zone development programme. In 2018, the local government of the Lower Silesian Voivodship, together with the National Centre for Research and Development, provided PLN 100 million for research and development work in this area.

SpaceX's orbital mission

Our scientific satellite flew on a SpaceX orbital mission aboard the Falcon 9 rocket, which took off from the SLC-40 station at Cape Canaveral in Florida on 13 January 2022 at 4:25 pm Polish time. The entire flight was successful. A total of 105 objects went into orbit, including four modules from SatRevolution.

Professor Anna Chełmońska-Soyta, Vice-Chancellor for Internationalisation of the UPWr, admits that there was a lot of excitement involved.

– Observing the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket, I thought to myself that we, as a university, are participating in unique and groundbreaking research. In other words, outer space is within the reach of the UPWr! – says the Vice-Rector, emphasising that this project is very important for her personally.

– This is the result of my long-term cooperation with Prof. Jan Dziuban from the Faculty of Electronics, Microsystems and Photonics of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, who is an extraordinary scientist, visionary and mentor of the entire project. This collaboration is extremely interdisciplinary, as we are trying to bring together the world of cell biology and sophisticated technology – adds Prof. Anna Chełmońska-Soyta.

Cooperation of Wrocław universities

The construction of a scientific satellite is an example of excellent cooperation between Wrocław universities. The team from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology was responsible for the construction of laboratory modules that will enable various biological and medical tests to be carried out. – Dedicated lab-chips, optical detection modules, microflow management modules and satellite lab-payload mechanical structures were made – explains Dr. Patrycja Śniadek, team leader at the Wroclaw University of Science and Technology.

Researchers from the Medical University of Wrocław will investigate how microgravity and cosmic radiation impact the effects of specific cancer drugs and how these factors can affect human health. In the future, such experiments may lead to the development of new cancer therapies, antibiotic therapy or drugs.

Research on the behaviour of cosmopolitan fungi is the role of researchers at the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (the project leader of which is Prof. Krzysztof Matkowski, with a team consisting of: Prof. Elżbieta Pląskowska, Agata Kaczmarek, Marta Jurga and Prof. Wojciech Pusz). They sent a very common fungus on Earth, Fusarium culmorum, into space. It is found in the air, plants, soil and also in residential buildings. Importantly, it has wide development opportunities in various temperatures and humidity conditions.

From fungus to larger organisms?

Fusarium culmorum is a convenient species for this type of purpose: it spores and grows quickly. Its structures are contrasting enough to assess the development using miniaturised optical systems placed in a small cultivation on a satellite. This species is relatively resistant to temporary temperature changes in the range of 40-70 °C – during the launch of the rocket and passing through dense layers of the atmosphere, the temperature in the test chamber, despite the complex security system, rises significantly.

– We know that the species we are sending can withstand temperatures as low as minus 250 degrees Celsius. We have tested this on Earth. However, we want to see if it will also function in space, in a specific microgravity, which is many times lower than the gravity on Earth – says Prof. Krzysztof Matkowski from the Department of Phytopathology and Mycology at the UPWr.

The scientists want to check whether such conditions will somehow affect the biology of the fungus they are sending into space. This knowledge is important in the context of future attempts to create self-sufficient bases for humans to live in space. Fungi are the precursors of life in any ecosystem, and without them intensive long-term growth of plants is not possible.

– We were curious whether in conditions very different to those on Earth, this organism would develop in the same way, or maybe very differently in an incomprehensible and strange way – adds Prof. Matkowski, who emphasises that if we send a satellite with larger organisms into space in the future, this research will give us the necessary knowledge about their potential development.

The research in space will be conducted for about two weeks, with a possible extension if conducting observations will seem worthwhile after this time. After the experiment is over, the satellite will burn in the Earth's atmosphere.