It has been reported that bacteria become less susceptible to antimicrobial agents under conditions of microgravity, while humans suffer immunosuppression with prolonged space flight. In addition, some bacteria grow more rapidly in the weightless environment of spacecraft. As a consequence, human life support systems planned for future long-term space flight missions will require high quality water to minimize the risk of infectious disease and system deterioration. We are investigating the effects of microgravity on bacteria in spaceflight, including their physiology, virulence and growth as biofilms on surfaces. Experiments are planned to determine the effects of simulated launch conditions (acceleration and vibration) on cultures and biofilms of Burkholderia cepacia, a common bacterial isolate from NASA Shuttle Orbiter water systems. Preparation will also be made for a scheduled spaceflight experiment to study the effects of microgravity on the opportunistic bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Physiological characteristics, including growth in cell numbers, respiration, enzyme activity, cell membrane integrity, as well as virulence factors such as exotoxin A production, hemolysis, cytotoxin activity, cell adherence and cell invasion, will be studied. These experiments will extend understanding of how bacterial contaminants in spacecraft environments such as drinking water might be better controlled, and permit a better assessment of the health risk of pathogens in the spacecraft environment.
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Department of Microbiology |
| Montana State University | |
| Bozeman, MT 59717 |
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