Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?

Undergraduate

Project Type

group

Campus

Daytona Beach

Authors' Class Standing

Erik Larsen, Senior Bailey Burden, Senior Jakob Robertson, Senior Hugo Castillo, Assistant Professor

Lead Presenter's Name

Erik Larsen

Lead Presenter's College

DB College of Arts and Sciences

Faculty Mentor Name

Hugo Castillo

Abstract

The Aerospace Physiology program has created opportunities for students to not only get an education on the biological effects of flight and space but also to be trained in advanced research techniques using state-of-the-art equipment. The Space Microbiology Lab studies how “space” conditions regulate microbial physiology and gene expression using microgravity analogs and low activity radiation sources to simulate what space might feel like for bacteria that inhabit spacecraft components and humans. We have performed several experiments with Escherichia coli, Arthrospira platensis, Candida albicans, and Candida parapsilosis (isolated from a space station module and provided to the lab by NASA) using techniques such as microgravity simulation using the Eaglestat, generation of growth curves, chlorophyll extraction and measurement, and nucleic acids extraction, among others. Here we discuss how the results of these experiments contribute to the research objectives of the Space Microbiology Laboratory, to the curriculum of the Microbiology and Molecular and Cell Biology courses, and to our plans for future careers.

Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?

No

Share

COinS
 

Biology undergraduate research experience at the ERAU’s Space Microbiology Laboratory

The Aerospace Physiology program has created opportunities for students to not only get an education on the biological effects of flight and space but also to be trained in advanced research techniques using state-of-the-art equipment. The Space Microbiology Lab studies how “space” conditions regulate microbial physiology and gene expression using microgravity analogs and low activity radiation sources to simulate what space might feel like for bacteria that inhabit spacecraft components and humans. We have performed several experiments with Escherichia coli, Arthrospira platensis, Candida albicans, and Candida parapsilosis (isolated from a space station module and provided to the lab by NASA) using techniques such as microgravity simulation using the Eaglestat, generation of growth curves, chlorophyll extraction and measurement, and nucleic acids extraction, among others. Here we discuss how the results of these experiments contribute to the research objectives of the Space Microbiology Laboratory, to the curriculum of the Microbiology and Molecular and Cell Biology courses, and to our plans for future careers.

 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.