BIOTESC (Biotechnology Space Support Center)

BIOTESC is the Swiss "User Support and Operations Center" for International Space Station (ISS) operations associated with biological research. It acts as the "Facility Responsible Center" for KUBIK, a transportable incubator. BIOTESC is furthermore the "Facility Support Center" for BIOLAB, a facility for biological experiments in the Columbus module (European research laboratory as part of the ISS).

The functions of BIOTESC are as follows:

• Support the implementation, integration and on-board operations of biological experiments on the ISS on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA).
  
• Provide a well-equipped infrastructure (ground laboratory, control room, microgravity simulation devices) as well as training and support to scientists – called "Users", for the preparation and realization of ESA-approved space experiments.
• Act as the information center for national users and promote space station utilization to the public.

BIOTESC is located at and operated by the Space Biology Group of the ETH Zurich. This institute draws upon a broad expertise related to mammalian cell cultivation and process development for space technology, gained in long-term involvement in these fields since almost three decades.