Boğaziçi University Institute of Environmental Sciences. Instructor Member Berat Zeki Haznedaroğlu and his team's microalgae studies were selected as one of the 13 projects to be carried into space by the first Turkish astronauts. Within the scope of the project, the potential of using five different microalgae species as life support units in manned space missions will be tested on the International Space Station (ISS).
Within the framework of Turkey's National Space Program, the "Microalgal Life Support Units for Space Missions" (Expert) project, implemented in partnership with TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) and Istanbul Medeniyet University (IMU), under the direction of Boğaziçi University, is among the 13 studies that will go into space. The use and effectiveness of microalgae in manned space missions to planets or satellites such as the Moon and Mars will be tested at the ISS under the supervision of the first Turkish astronomers Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever.
Boğaziçi University Institute of Environmental Sciences. Instructor Member Berat Zeki Haznedaroğlu stated that the project is a first in the world and that the capabilities of the microalgae they developed in the non-gravity environment and their metabolic changes will be analyzed; We have recently implemented many pioneering projects such as the Integrated Biorefinery Concept for Bioeconomy Oriented Development (INDEPENDENT) with the support provided by the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the European Commission. We are very excited about this new project, which now includes our different stakeholders. Because the Specialist project has become one of Turkey's 13 pioneering projects to be carried into space within the framework of the National Space Program. On the International Space Station, the ability of microalgae to absorb high levels of carbon dioxide and convert it to oxygen in a zero-gravity environment and their photosynthetic performance will be measured. In the last part of the experiment, metabolic changes in microalgae exposed to microgravity conditions in the ISS for 14 days will be determined using new generation RNA sequencing techniques and compared with the control experimental group to be carried out in the world.” said.
“Invaluable for manned voyage to Mars”
Sharing the knowledge that five different microalgae species will be tested within the scope of the task, Dr. Instructor Member Haznedaroğlu also stated that the project is the first in the world in the national and international arena. Adding that microalgae can be used in many critical systems such as food production, wastewater treatment, air conditioning, bio-mining and 3D biomaterial production in manned space missions planned to be organized to the Moon and Mars, the scientist said, “The project has a pioneering character for Turkey and the world. owner. Especially for manned space missions, evaluating the performance of microalgae in advance will provide very important data for us. Microalgae, which are creatures with a high protein content and rich in vitamins and omega fatty acids in terms of nutrition, are a food source for the crew, while they can be used as a biofertilizer for the treatment of waste water emerging in space stations, and also supports the air conditioning systems in the cabin. These experiments in a non-gravity environment on the International Space Station are very valuable in order to determine the advantages that microalgae will provide us on manned journeys that are expected to take long, such as Mars. In addition, we are proud of being chosen as one of the 13 projects to be carried into space by the first Turkish astronauts within the scope of the National Space Program.” he said.