LIT project to be tested on International Space Station

A research project developed at LIT has pulled off a major international coup by being chosen to travel and be tested on the International Space Station next year. The LIT project entitled ‘Symbiotic Nodulation in a Reduced Gravity Environment' examined how a 'clover like' naturally occurring bacteria fertilizes plants, and how the process can be improved. The results of the research may lead to a reduction in the use of synthetic fertilizers, with significant benefits for the global community.

The project was lead by Professor Gary Stutte, who is the Marie Curie Research fellow working at the CELLS unit at LIT. His work was chosen by the Space Florida International Space Station (ISS) Research Competition, which was open to commercial and academic research programmes across the globe.

The LIT project was just one of eight finally selected to be tested by astronauts on the ISS. This is the first time an Irish institution has been a leader and principal investigator in an experiment to the ISS. News of LIT's research project success was beamed into the college by live link-up with the American Society for the Gravitational and Space Research, based in New Orleans.

Well done Gary on this fantastic achievement.

Also see: http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/1129/limerick-institute-of-technology-international-space-station.html