“The Experiment “Biotrack” starts in January 2007, when cargo spacecraft “Progress” delivers new surface with bacterial cultures and mycorrhizal fungi - microscopic mushrooms, living in symbiosis with plants. The experiment is aimed at finding correlation between radiation situation and changes in properties of bacteria and fungi as well as their purposeful productivity. That is why cases with cultures include sensors for fixing radiation dose, as well as type and energy of heavy particles. By analyzing the data scientists will be able either to confirm or to deny a hypothesis claiming that in long-term flights radiation field is not the only aspect affecting microorganisms, but also other factors exist, weakened magnetic field of the Earth, for example.
      
      Source: Голос России