An update

Microgravity Program in Malaysia 2014 –
An update
Mohd Helmy Hashim
Mhd Fairos Asillam
APRSAF21
2nd Dec 2014
Tokyo, Japan
National Space Agency of Malaysia (ANGKASA)
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CONTENT
1. Introduction: The motivation 2. Objective of Malaysia Microgravity Program
3. Microgravity Program 2014
4. Conclusion
1.0 INTRODUCTION :
THE MOTIVATION MALAYSIA TO INVOLVE IN
MICROGRAVITY SCIENCES
‐ BUILDING LOCAL CAPACITY [enables Malaysia to explore frontiers of education in science, technology and engineering, in ways never before envisaged by Malaysians. The Program involve scientists, educationists, general public and students (the next generation of explorers)]
‐ BUILDING LOCAL CAPABILITIES [basic infrastructure/spacelab/equipment, research mechanism, identified national priority needs and
development goals/outcome) as well as estimate the national readiness]
Through
INTERNATIONAL AND
LOCAL
COOPERATION!!
2.0 OBJECTIVES OF MALAYSIA MICROGRAVITY PROGRAM
To inspire the peoples to strive for excellence and a unity of purpose and all instill a sense of identity that will promote national resolve and enrich their lives;
Gaining knowledge and experience from Japan, Russia and other countries and using this acquisition as a base to expertise in space science and Microgravity applications;
To send experiments to the space that will benefit to science, technology and industry;
To instill the interest of the young generation to explore new areas of science and technology which are crucial to sustaining a long‐term national competitiveness in a global era.
３.0 Microgravity Programme on 2014
Malaysia want to be more actively participate in microgravity program. Two
(2) major activities on microgravity programme for 2014 (highlighted):
i.
ii.
Awareness Programme
Sciences Programme (Research)
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MICROGRAVITY AWARENESS
PROGRAMME 2014
i.
Awareness Programme
‐ Try Zero‐G
‐ Parabolic Flight 2013 (follow up)
‐ Live Communication with ISS
‐ Workshop on 2nd National Astronaut Programme ‐ ANGKASA Talk on From Microgravity to Orbital Flight
‐ Workshop on Protein Crystal Growth
‐ “UKM di Angkasa” (UKM in Space)
‐ Malaysia – Japan Space Utilization Awareness 6
TRY ZERO-G
TRY ZERO G
•ANGKASA & JAXA
•Looking for idea of simple zero-G activity to be conducted by Japan Astronaut in Kibo, ISS
•Opened for RFP (online) from 4 June 2014 to 31 Aug 2014
•36 proposals received. Now, the proposals are hand over to JAXA for evaluation and
consideration after local committee screening and shortlist.
TRY ZERO-G
PARABOLIC FLIGHT 2013 (FOLLOW-UP)
Special slot on media stream coverage
-Radio 24, 10th January 2014
-National Television Channel (TV1), 21st January, 2014
- Radio National FM, 15th March 2014
-
Utusan Malaysia newspaper online 27th Jan 2014
PARABOLIC FLIGHT 2013 (FOLLOW-UP)
Microgravity & Hypergravity Forum –
Petrosains Science Festival 2014, 21st
September 2014
WORKSHOP ON 2nd MALAYSIAN ASTRONAUT PROGRAMME
•Held on 26th June 2014 on Research and Development (R&D) and 22nd July 2014 on Industry and commersiallization (I&C) in Kuala Lumpur
•To get initial picture of mission requirement and set‐up for the 2nd Malaysia Astronaut Programme
•Resolution summary (R&D)
‐ Life sciences exp, material Sciences exp, Agriculture exp
•Resolution summary (I&C)
‐ focus to experiment research can give tangible output, reduce cost and industrial problem solution
‐ Research Instituion as a bridge between industri and the space agency LIFE COMMUNICATION WITH ISS
ANGKASA TALK – FROM MICROGRAVITY TO ORBITAL FLIGHT
- Panel from Azabu University, Kanagawa,
Japan
Discussion on:
- Microgravity
- Future prospect on affordable space
travel (experience on microgravity) by
sub-orbital flight
New Straits Times
(online), 28 March
2014
PROTEIN CRYSTALLIZATION WORKSHOP
Organized by UPM on 18 to 20th November
2014
Objective:
-To expose researchers on protein
crystallization
-Fundamental principle and hands-on on
PCG and x-ray diffraction analysis
-ANGKASA sent 5 officers - preparation new
PCG project
“UKM IN SPACE”
- 4 astronauts from all around the world were invited to give a talk to a school and
university students on 20 October 2014, UKM, Bangi
- A talk and dialogue sessioan by 4 astronaut (Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor (Malaysia),
DR. CHIAKI MUKAI (Japan), KLAUS-DIETRICH FLADE (Germany), SALIZHAN
SHAKIROVICH SHARIPOV (Russia).
- Open officiated by Malaysian 4th Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamed.
MALAYSIA - JAPAN SPACE UTILIZATION PUBLIC AWARNESS
‐ A meeting with Dr Chiaki Mukai, Director, Center for Applied Space Medicine and Human Research
(CASMER) and Mr Yoshiya Fukuda, the Director of KUOA JAXA on 20 October 2014 at UKM, Bangi
‐ A future research collaboration between JAXA and young Malaysia researcher on Kibo Utilization
SPECIAL ISSUE IN AGRO MAS MAGAZINE
Issue published in Nov-Dec 2014 magazine
Topic discussed:
Microgravity, SSAF2010, SSAF2013, Kibo Utilization
Distributed during Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture &
Agrotourism Show 2014 (MAHA2014) 20th – 30th Nov
2014, Serdang, Malaysia
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MICROGRAVITY SCIENCES
PROGRAMME 2014
ii. Sciences Programme (Research)
Two main activities on microgravity research programme to be highlighted ‐ Protein Crystallization Growth (PCG)
‐ Microgravity Ground Based Research ‐ Parabolic Flight 2013 (follow up)
‐ Rice Seeds
‐ C‐elegans
‐ Zero Gravity Instrument Project (ZGIP)
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PROTEIN CRYSTAL GROWTH
Project output:
 17 Protein’s biology structure were solved!
 New intake for student on the PCG studies
 2 proteins was successfully crystallized on
the last flight (2013) – one protein crystal
solved – hepatitis protein.
Pre-commersialization status:
 Waiting for the government approval for 2015 allocation budget
- development of bioreactor plant (500 L capacity) and lab
- new PCG cooperation with JAXA
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Information on 6th flight protein sampel
Name
Hepatitis B
core protein
(HBcAg)
LipPI12
W200R-1
protease
R157S
lipase
Origin
It is a pure
protein
from
mesophilic
bacterium
isolated
from
hepatitis B virus
It is a pure
protein
from
psychrophilic
microorganism
isolated
from
It is a pure
protein
from
thermophilic
bacterium
isolated from hot
spring
It is a pure
protein from
thermophilic
bacterium
isolated from
hot spring
Antarctica
lip42
Rand
complex protease
It is a pure
protein
from
thermophili
c bacterium
isolated
from
oil
palm
effluent
It is a pure
protein
from
mesophilic
bacterium
isolated
from
contaminated soil
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Protein Crystallization
General Objective

To obtain the high quality proteins crystals of industrially important
enzymes under microgravity environment for more precise protein 3D
structure.
Specific Objective




To study the crystal growth behavior of industrially important enzymes
on earth.
To study the effect of microgravity on the crystal growth behavior of
industrially important enzymes.
To solve the 3D structure of selected enzymes
To integrate the 3D crystal structures obtained on the earth and in the
space
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iii) Protein Crystallization
Project outcome:
 New local high quality product for industrial application;
 Procurement of protein crystal analysis facilities located at
University of Putra Malaysia (UPM);
- Oryx8 Crystallization Robot,
- AKTA Explorer Purification System with Axichrome Column, Crystallization chambers (10
- In-house Bruker X8 PROTEUM Biological single crystal diffractometer system
to 70ºC)
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iii) Protein Crystallization
Project outcome:
 New method on crystallization by seeding method;
 Initiative on commercialization activity :- scaling up enzyme
from laboratory scale to 200L for oleo chemicals industry
potential usage .
Diswashing detergent
 T1 lipase enzime
 thermostable
 Environmental-friendly
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PARABOLIC FLIGHT 2013
“DANCING PARTICLES – FORMATION OF SOUND RESONANCE IN TUBE”
Output:
1 experiment was performed under hypergravity and microgravityenvironment through parabolic flight mission in nagoya, Japan on 25 and 26 dec 2013.
Prototypes identified useful for wave propogation teaching material
HCD : 2 parabonauts, 1 microgravity scientist Publication:
•Abstract Proceeding ”Resonance Profile of an Air Column:
Observation on the Earth and in Microgravity”, 21st Asian
Microgravity Conference, 28 – 31 Oct 2014, Korea
•Paper accepted: “Resonance Profile of an Air Column: Observation
on the Earth and in Microgravity”, Journal of Microgravity Science
and Technology” (SCI, Springer).
Award:
•Science Education Award of Malaysia, Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (2014), Kuala Lumpur,
2nd Dec 2014 (TODAY)!!
PARABOLIC FLIGHT 2013
“DANCING PARTICLES – FORMATION OF SOUND RESONANCE IN TUBE”
Output:
Objective: To observe
visually a real profile of
sound resonance
Wave Resonans represented resonance which is represented by polystyrene beads in the
tube after tuned by the frequency of sound in 1 G.
Wave Resonans represented resonance which is represented by polystyrene beads in the
tube after tuned by the frequency of sound in micro G.
Results: beads agitated
in plates in microgravity
compared to the
mountain-like striations
profile in normal gravity
– is it real wave shape?
RNA INTERFERENCE-MEDIATED SILENCING EFFECTS OF GENES INVOLVED IN
LONGEVITY, DNA REPAIR AND LOCOMOTION OF CAERNOHABDITIS ELEGANS
EXPOSED TO MICROGRAVITY AND ORBITAL FORCES

To study the knockdown effect on genes involved in longetivity (dod-19 and dod-3), DNA repair
(rad-51 and him-6) and locomotion (mua-3, com-113) of C-elegans exposed to microgravity
simulation [Clinostat – Random Positioing Machine (RPM)];

To test and determine the suitability of C-elegans as possible biological dosimeter for long term
space travel.
Project duration: 3 years (2012 – 2015)
Local Collaborator institute: Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia Medical Molceular Biological Institute
(UMBI)
Progress: Silencing of selected genes
have been carried out. Selected genes
expression are going to be determined.
 Random Positioning Machine (RPM) -3D
Clinostat has been procured on Mac 2014
from
STUDIES ON THE EFFECTS OF MICROGRAVITY SIMULATION
ENVIRONMENT ON SELECTED MALAYSIAN RICE

To study the effects of three‐dimensional (2D) clinorotation using Random Positioning
Machine (RPM) on susceptible (MR 219) and drought tolerance (AERON 1) rice seeds

To analyse yield and pest and disease resistances performances of the 2D clinorotated
rice seeds growth in field
Project duration: 3 years (2012 – 2015)
Local Collaborator institute: MARDI
Publication:
•“Effect of Simulated Microgravity on growth Performance in
Ground Grown Rice”, National Conference on Agricultural and
Food Mechanization 2014 (NCAFM 2014), 20-22 May 2014,
Sabah, Malaysia
First result: Exposing the seeds to
uniaxial clinostat for 10 days at 2rpm
improved the growth performance
seedling – need further experiment to
validate and investigate their whole
performance and yield
ZERO GRAVITY INSTRUMENT PROJECT (ZGIP)
•
•
•
ZGIP organized by United Nations of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
First Annual report to UNOOSA – Dec 2014 Contribute data based of clinotorated plant seeds to UNOOSA and also for educational purposes
Date
Activities (Clinostat 1 – Planetarium)
13 Feb 2014
Conducted experiment using rice (MR219)
18 Feb 2014
Conducted experiment using rice (MR269)
21 Feb 2014
Conducted experiment using green bean
24 Feb 2014 – 21 Mac 2014
Experiment conducted by 12 students and a teacher at SMK Convent Bukit Nanas
10 April 2014 – 30 April 2014
Experiment conducted by 12 students and a teacher at SM Sains Alam Shah
18 June 2014 – 16 July 2014
Experiment conducted by students and teachers at SM Sains Seri Puteri
31 Dec 2014
1st annual report submission deadline
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ZERO GRAVITY INSTRUMENT PROJECT (ZGIP)
•
•
•
ZGIP organized by United Nations of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
First Annual report to UNOOSA – Dec 2014 Contribute data based of clinotorated plant seeds to UNOOSA and also for educational purposes
Clinostat 2 - MARDI
Control
(with light)
Clinorotate
d seed 29
Conclusion
Malaysia is going to deeply involve in microgravity program for
Delivering Innovative Ideas and Solutions
“for the sake of knowledge generation, wealth creation and societal well‐being."
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Thank you
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