Projekt ZOE
The ZOE project is a biological experiment of the Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the scientific programme of the Czech astronaut’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The project addresses one of the key questions of future space research: whether proper early embryonic development of vertebrates, leading to sexual fertility, can occur under conditions of microgravity and increased cosmic radiation.
A correctly progressing early stage of embryonic development is essential for the formation of a sexually fertile individual. During this stage, a population of so-called primordial germ cells is formed. These cells subsequently migrate to the developing gonads, where they settle and give rise to gametes. The ZOE experiment investigates how microgravity and cosmic radiation affect these early developmental processes and whether they may lead to their disruption.
The study will be carried out using the domestic chicken as a model organism, whose embryonic development is comparable in many aspects to that of mammals, including humans. The results obtained may therefore contribute not only to a better understanding of reproductive biology in space, but also to the identification of biological limits associated with long-term habitation of living organisms beyond Earth. Disruption of these processes could pose a serious challenge for future multi-generational missions or space colonisation.
An integral part of the experiment is the development of a special modular transport box called LIVET, designed to ensure the safe transport of eggs to the ISS, their incubation, and their return to Earth. The box will be equipped with an active SPACEDOS dosimeter, a set of passive detectors, and sensors for monitoring temperature and humidity—parameters that are crucial for proper embryonic development. Thanks to its modular design, the LIVET technology can be adapted in the future for other biological experiments.
The experiment will be conducted aboard the ISS in the KUBIK incubator. After completion of the incubation period, the eggs will be cooled to halt further development and subsequently returned to Earth, where the biological processes will be analysed in detail in ground-based laboratories. The results of the ZOE project will contribute to a better understanding of the effects of the space environment on living organisms and to the preparation of future long-duration crewed missions beyond low Earth orbit.
Research Team
The ZOE experiment is carried out at the Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences in cooperation with GODS s.r.o. and Universal Scientific Technologies s.r.o. The project is supported by an interdisciplinary team of experts specialising in radiobiology, embryology, dosimetric methods, and the technological support of biological experiments in the space environment.
Oldřich Zahradníček is the principal investigator of the ZOE experiment. He works at the Department of Radiation Dosimetry of the Nuclear Physics Institute, where he leads the Radiobiology Group. His research focuses on the biological effectiveness of ionising radiation and on the effects of radiation and microgravity on early embryonic development in model organisms. He is also long-term engaged in biodosimetric research with applications in both space and terrestrial environments.
Contact: zahradnicek@ujf.cas.cz
Pavel Trefil participates in the ZOE project as an expert in embryology and biotechnology. He works at the Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences and is also involved in applied research in the field of biotechnology. Within the project, he focuses on studying the effects of ionising radiation on early embryonic cells and on interpreting biological changes related to the reproductive potential of organisms.
Contact: trefil.pavel@ujf.cas.cz
Iva Ambrožová contributes to the experiment as a specialist in dosimetric assessment. She works at the Department of Radiation Dosimetry of the Nuclear Physics Institute and has long-standing experience in dosimetry and microdosimetry of ionising radiation, including applications in aviation and space research. Within the ZOE project, she is responsible for evaluating radiation exposure and interpreting dosimetric data.
Contact: ambrozova@ujf.cas.cz
Martin Kákona is involved in the technical implementation of the experiment, particularly in the development and deployment of dosimetric systems. At the Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, he focuses on the development of electronics for space radiation measurements and open dosimetric systems. In the ZOE project, he contributes to the integration of measurement technologies and to the processing of data obtained during the mission.
Contact: kakona@ujf.cas.cz
Content prepared based on information available on the Česká cesta do vesmíru website (ceskacestadovesmiru.cz).
