Turkey's first astronaut Alper Gezeravcı's experiments in space continue!

The Turkish Space Agency (TUA) continues to share its "Experiment Glossary" regarding key terms from the 13 experiments conducted by Turkey's first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, on the International Space Station.

In a post shared on TUA's social media account, explanations were provided for terms related to the "MESSAGE" and "UzMAn" experiments, which are among the experiments in question.

In the post, the definition of RNA sequencing in the "UzMAn" experiment was explained as follows:

"RNA is a molecule into which genes are translated into proteins. RNA sequencing is a technique used to determine the sequences of RNA molecules found in cell or tissue samples. With this technique, gene expression—that is, how active genes are—in environments where different experimental conditions are created in cells or tissues can be easily examined. In the UzMAn experiment, the effects of the ISS's microgravity environment on the metabolism of microalgae will be examined at the cellular and molecular level for the first time."

Life support systems were defined as the systems that enable astronauts to stay in space.

In the post, regarding the word "MESSAGE" (Microgravity Experiments on the Space Station to Study Aging Effect), it was stated that this term represents the name and purpose of the experiment.

The definitions of other terms were as follows:

- Gene Expression: Genetic information showing how genes respond to a specific environmental condition

- Gene Linkage Analysis: A type of analysis that examines the relationships between specific genes

- Apoptosis: Programmed cell death, which prevents the uncontrolled growth of healthy cells

- Cell Proliferation: The creation of new cells, the multiplication of existing cells through division

- Immune Response: The body's reaction to pathogens (microbes, viruses).