Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Mitchell Villafania Senior, Ella Rowe Junior, Hugo Castillo Principle Investigator
Lead Presenter's Name
Mitchell Villafania
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Hugo Castillo
Abstract
With the expansion of human space exploration, there is a growing demand to better understand the impacts of space stressors such as microgravity (µG), space radiation, extreme temperatures, and extreme isolation. Research has shown that space stressors alter bacteria response. The changes seen include increases in biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, and growth rate. Understanding the effects of these changes is vital as they can affect astronaut health, spacecraft life support systems, and space crops used for food.
The ERAU Space Microbiology Lab (SML) is working to show how microbial communities are affected by simulated µG. In natural microbial communities (e.g., human gut microbiome), bacteria can develop antagonistic or synergistic relationships between different species. By seeing community development in simulated µG, we can gain insight on how microbial communities adapt to the space environment.
Our research was focused on evaluating the changes of a mixed bacteria culture exposed to simulated µG using an EagleStat, a microgravity analog developed by the SML. In the experiment Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were chosen for simulated µG mixed culture exposure due to their visual and physical differentiating characteristics. Results have shown that S.epidermidis can grow to higher colony densities while under sim µG.
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?
Yes, Spark Grant
Space Microbial Ecology
With the expansion of human space exploration, there is a growing demand to better understand the impacts of space stressors such as microgravity (µG), space radiation, extreme temperatures, and extreme isolation. Research has shown that space stressors alter bacteria response. The changes seen include increases in biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, and growth rate. Understanding the effects of these changes is vital as they can affect astronaut health, spacecraft life support systems, and space crops used for food.
The ERAU Space Microbiology Lab (SML) is working to show how microbial communities are affected by simulated µG. In natural microbial communities (e.g., human gut microbiome), bacteria can develop antagonistic or synergistic relationships between different species. By seeing community development in simulated µG, we can gain insight on how microbial communities adapt to the space environment.
Our research was focused on evaluating the changes of a mixed bacteria culture exposed to simulated µG using an EagleStat, a microgravity analog developed by the SML. In the experiment Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were chosen for simulated µG mixed culture exposure due to their visual and physical differentiating characteristics. Results have shown that S.epidermidis can grow to higher colony densities while under sim µG.