Dubai student’s space experiment takes off
dubai — A UAE-based student’s experiment is on its way to the International Space Station (ISS). The experiment by Alia Al Mansoori, 15, of Al Mawakeb School, Al Barsha in Dubai, will be the third award winner to fly an experiment to the ISS under the auspices of the Genes in Space competition and the first outside the US. Al Mansoori’s experiment will examine DNA produced in space for changes in protein expression. The results may provide clues on how to prevent unwanted cell death in order to keep future astronauts healthy during long-duration missions into deep space.
The achievement is the culmination of the first UAE Genes in Space competition held. The DNA-based research competition was open to all students in Grades 7 through 12 across the country. The contest invited students to propose experiments that contribute to solving reallife space exploration problems.
Al Mansoori worked with scientists from miniPCR to prepare her experiment for launch and operations aboard the station. Working with a miniPCR DNA replicator smaller than a glove box, astronauts will create numerous chains of DNA
I looked at how astronauts might need to be protected while in space, or at least offer them a way to see what changes are taking place in their bodies.” Alia Al Mansoori, student, Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha
on orbit to see how they change. Al Mansoori said UAE Genes in Space inspired her by offering the opportunity to potentially help future astronauts reach Mars safely.
“The need to explore connects us all as humans and it inspires us in different ways to pursue advances,” said Al Mansoori. “I looked at how astronauts might need to be protected while in space, or at least offer them a way to see what changes are taking place in their bodies. Knowing that, it may be possible to prevent such damage from taking place at all.”
Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said: “The UAE Space Agency’s organisation and backing of this competition comes as part of the UAE’s comprehensive efforts to support its ambitious youth and their endeavours. This competition has highlighted the deep interest among our youth in a range of applied space sciences and technologies. These fields are a foundation of national growth that will advance our strong international standing.”
Dr Al Falasi noted that the national space sector has made a number of significant achievements in improving national capacities and raising public awareness of the space sector, particularly among the country’s youth. In this regard, the competition has directly supported and advanced the Space Agency’s strategic objectives to develop human capital throughout the national space sector.
Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, director-general of the UAE Space Agency, said: “One of our core mandates is to develop national and regional capacities in advanced STEM fields and space sciences. UAE Genes in Space represented a perfect opportunity to engage with younger generations on these crucial issues. The fact that it is the first edition to take place outside of the United States is a reflection of the progress that has been made throughout our burgeoning space sector.”