Biolab

Biolab is the ESA facility developed to support biological experiments on board the ESA Columbus Module, which is itself an important part of the International Space Station (ISS). In particular, the BIOLAB facility is designed for research in the following areas of biological study:

• regulatory mechanisms of proliferation and differentiation;
• role of the cytoskeleton;
• mechanical loading;
• graviperception and thresholds;
• mechanism of radiation damage and repair in cells and tissues;

This applies to research subjects such as cell cultures, tissues, micro-organisms, small plants, and small animals.

BIOLAB is a modular system integrated into an International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR) and is divided into two parts: an Automated Section, where experiments are performed automatically, and a "Manual Section" dedicated to sample handling by the crew and stowage. Traditionally Europe has a strong background in this area of research, gained by numerous flights of previous facilities, e.g. Biorack and Biobox; in designing and using the Biolab facility on board the ISS, we are building on these already strong foundations.

The whole facility is also perfectly adapted for telescience operations. Ground controls will be perfromed in the Science Reference Model (SRM)

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