Download Microgravity Effects on Bacterial Cultures

AEROSPACE ENGINEERING – Microgravity Effects on Bacterial Cultures
Observations of bacteria cultured in vitro inside an orbiting
spacecraft suggest that the organisms tend to become more
virulent and less susceptible to antibiotics. The underlying
mechanisms giving rise to these empirical outcomes, however,
are not fully understood. Our research is aimed at
characterizing the changes associated with exposure to
microgravity on extracellular mass transport and establishing
cause-and-effect pathways linking the altered physical
parameters with the measured biological response. Experiments
are conducted using ground-based simulation techniques and
onboard the International Space Station. Applications of this
work entail ensuring astronaut health and seeking insight into
preventing the spread of multi-drug resistant pathogens on
Earth. The astronaut below is activating a bacterial experiment
developed by the BioServe Space Technologies Center at the
University of Colorado.