Studying mechanisms of plant response to gravity and light

Joint ESA / NASA ISS Experiment using EMCS to study mechanisms of plant response to gravity and light. Basic research relevant to agriculture, especially in compact cultivation environment.The Seedling Growth experiment is designed to study light and gravity signaling in plants and their effects on cell growth and proliferation. This knowledge is valuable for developing an effective use of plants in life support systems in space, including on the Moon and Mars. It also has a strong relevance for improving crop species on earth to obtain increased production and sustainability. The first part of the four-part experiment was launched and executed on ISS in April-May 2013.