ZOE project
Project ZOE is one of two projects of the Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences selected by the European Space Agency as part of the scientific programme of the Czech astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The aim of the project is to answer the scientific question of whether the early embryonic development of amniotic vertebrates can proceed in conditions of microgravity and increased cosmic radiation in such a way that the individual remains reproductively fertile in adulthood.
A key prerequisite for the development of a reproductively fertile individual is the proper differentiation of primordial germ cells before the structures of the developing embryo — such as germ layers, tissues, and later organs — begin to form. These cells do not originate in the locations where the gonads develop and must therefore migrate to and settle within them. The lineage of cells derived from primordial germ cells in the gonads ultimately produces gametes — sperm and egg cells. If primordial germ cells fail to reach the developing gonads, the individual becomes infertile. Project ZOE investigates how microgravity and cosmic radiation affect these early developmental processes and whether, and to what extent, they may disrupt them and potentially lead to reproductive infertility.
The study will be conducted using the Japanese quail as a model organism, as its embryonic development is in many respects similar 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 identifying the biological limits of long-term habitation of living organisms beyond Earth, where sexual reproduction would be essential. Disruption of these processes could represent a major challenge for future multi-generational missions or the colonisation of space.
As part of the project, a special modular transport box is being developed to ensure the safe transport of eggs to the ISS and back to Earth. The box will be equipped with a set of passive detectors that will allow researchers to determine the probable absorbed radiation dose received by the embryos during the mission.
The incubation itself will take place in the KUBIK incubator, which is part of the laboratory equipment of the Columbus module. The incubation period will last approximately six days. After incubation, the eggs will be frozen, which will ethically terminate embryonic development and preserve the samples for further analyses. The deeply frozen embryos will subsequently enable the study of primordial germ cells, as well as changes in RNA and protein expression in ground laboratories. The results of Project ZOE are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the effects of the space environment on the development of amniotic vertebrates and to support preparations for future long-duration crewed missions and the potential development of extraterrestrial ecosystems.
Research Team of Experts
Project ZOE is carried out at the Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The project is led by an interdisciplinary team of experts from the Radiation Dosimetry Department specializing in radiobiology, embryology, molecular genetics, and dosimetry.
The principal investigator of Project ZOE is Oldřich Zahradníček. He works at the Radiation Dosimetry Department of the Nuclear Physics Institute, where he leads the radiobiology group. His research focuses on the biological effects of ionizing radiation and the impact of radiation and microgravity on the early embryonic development of poultry. He is also involved in research on the effects of ionizing radiation on tumour cells and biodosimetry.
Contact: zahradnicek@ujf.cas.cz
Pavel Trefil contributes to Project ZOE as an expert in embryology and biotechnology. He works at the Nuclear Physics Institute and is also engaged in applied biotechnology research. Within the project, he focuses on studying the effects of ionizing radiation and microgravity on primordial germ cells and on interpreting observed biological changes related to the reproductive potential of organisms.
Contact: trefil.pavel@ujf.cas.cz
Within the project, Tomáš Mikuš focuses on the molecular identification of primordial cells and on evaluating the effects of simulated and real microgravity and ionizing radiation on the embryonic development of domestic chicken and Japanese quail.
Contact: mikus@ujf.cas.cz
Martina Zíková is a molecular and cellular biologist responsible in Project ZOE for embryo experiments, in vitro cultivation of embryos and primordial germ cells, and methods for protein identification and analysis of selected gene expression.
Contact: zikova.martina@ujf.cas.cz
Iva Ambrožová participates in the experiment as a specialist in dosimetric evaluation. She works at the Radiation Dosimetry Department of the Nuclear Physics Institute and has extensive experience in dosimetry and microdosimetry of ionizing radiation, including applications in aviation and space research. In Project ZOE, she is responsible for radiation dose assessment and interpretation of measured data.
Contact: ambrozova@ujf.cas.cz
In addition to the researchers, the project also involves PhD students from the Faculty of Medicine at Masaryk University in Brno, Martina Šindlerová and Casimira Valerie Chuquimez Ventura. They will evaluate changes in embryonic development using micro-CT and contribute to advanced analyses using transcriptomics.
