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Space Plants Lab

Space Plants Lab

University of Florida plant molecular biologists Robert Ferl and Anna-Lisa Paul lead a team focused on growing plants in space environments. Join them as they study plants currently on the International Space Station.

Environmental changes almost always lead to changes in gene regulation. Our lab genetically engineers Arabidopsis thaliana plants to display their adaptation response to a specific kind of stress. We send these plants aboard the International Space Station to learn how biology reacts in microgravity. Our goal is to use this technology to identify the effects of space flight on plant biology. Astronauts aboard the Space Station take both macroscopic and microscope images of the plants as they grow, while the lab members on Earth monitor the experiments. At the end of the flight, the plants are fixed in a solution that preserves their on-orbit metabolic state. After the plants return to Earth, we perform genetic expression testing and other standard techniques to determine how the plants responded to their time in space.

Summary of Current Research Projects

Lunar Plant Biology

 

In The News


  • UF researchers study how to grow food on the moon (Fox 13)
  • Scientist becomes first NASA-funded researcher to conduct own experiment in space (abc News)
  • UF scientist Rob Ferl completes historic space mission (UF) 
  • University of Florida Scientist to Fly on Blue Origin Suborbital Mission (UF)
  • UF/IFAS plants grown in space flown home (IFAS)
  • UF women in science are bringing us closer to growing plants in space (UF)
  • Lunar Plant Publication - Communication Bio
  • Space n'Things Podcast - Listen Here
  • Dr. Ferl recieves NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal (IFAS)
  • NASA: Inner to Outer Space: Studying Biological Changes with Plants on Rockets - BLUE ORIGIN FLIGHT 
  • Dr. Anna-Lisa Paul recieves NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal 
    (VIEW ARTICLE)
  • UF Space Plants lab featured in NPR Science Friday: Plants in Space
    (WATCH VIDEO)

 

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