Tomorrow Russian carrier vehicle “Progress M63” will deliver cells of two plants – red-rooted gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) and ginseng (Panax ginseng) – to the orbit.
      
      New scientific experiment is aimed at studying peculiar features of plant cell cultures development under zero gravity conditions for potential raise of their biological activity.
      
      The box will stay aboard International space station till the middle of April under natural radiation conditions, charged particle flows and magnetic fields. Cell cultures are usually time restricted – culture lawn dries out in 60 days. However, this experiment provides airproof container allowing longer life of both cell and bacterial cultures.
      
      Plants, chosen for the experiment, are special. Ginseng biomass is a perfect material for making various medical agents, as well as for cosmetology and food industry. Ginseng is a source of biologically active substances called ginsenosides, showing various therapeutic effects.
      
      As for red-rooted gromwell, this plant contains quite valuable biologically active substance shikonin, possessing bactericide and fungicide properties, as well as showing burn-treating effect.
      
      Source: Science News