Samples from China's Shenzhou-17 mission delivered to scientists

A total of 31.5 kilograms of samples making up the new batch of research samples brought back to Earth in the return capsule of China's Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship were delivered to the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing on Wednesday.

The samples came from 23 scientific experiment projects involving 32 kinds of life experiment samples, including human bone cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, protein crystals, living organic molecules, and seeds. Eighteen kinds of material samples, such as containerless materials, high-temperature materials and extra-cabin exposure materials, are also included.

The life experiment samples were transferred to the CAS center in Beijing and handed over to scientists early Wednesday morning, about eight hours after the capsule touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The scientists will conduct biological analyses, such as transcriptome sequencing and proteomics detection, to search for new clues for disease prevention and intervention by studying cell biological mechanisms in a microgravity environment.

The scientists will also diffract proteins to obtain a more accurate three-dimensional structure of proteins and study target proteins for technical support for drug and vaccine development.

The return capsule of the Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship, carrying astronauts Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, touched down at 5:46 p.m. Beijing Time on Tuesday.

The three-member Shenzhou-17 crew arrived in Beijing by plane early Wednesday morning after a six-month space station mission.

Read more: Shenzhou-17 astronauts arrive in Beijing