Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Tyler Jenkins, Junior
Lead Presenter's Name
Tyler Jenkins
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Hugo Castillo
Abstract
Simulated microgravity presents multiple physiological stressors for astronauts, including bone demineralization, muscle loss, and weakening of the immune system. Bacteria serve as viable model organisms to study physiological changes because of their abundance in the human digestive system and skin. Motility in bacteria plays a significant role in cell survival, but few studies have been conducted on microgravity’s effect on motility phenotypes. While motile strains like Escherichia coli K12 have been studied extensively under microgravity conditions, the effects of simulated microgravity on non-motile strains are largely unknown. To better understand this relationship, the nonmotile E. coli MG1655 strain was inoculated and exposed to simulated microgravity via a 2D clinostat to study growth, biofilm development, and behavior under osmotic stress conditions. Results from this experiment suggest significant changes in phenotypical expression occur in a microgravity environment, which presents potential implications for adverse effects to the human gut and skin microbiota like increased cell inhibition and virulence.
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
Included in
Bacteriology Commons, Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology Commons, Space Habitation and Life Support Commons
Investigation of Biofilm Formation and Osmotic Stress Tolerance of Nonmotile Escherichia coli in Simulated Microgravity
Simulated microgravity presents multiple physiological stressors for astronauts, including bone demineralization, muscle loss, and weakening of the immune system. Bacteria serve as viable model organisms to study physiological changes because of their abundance in the human digestive system and skin. Motility in bacteria plays a significant role in cell survival, but few studies have been conducted on microgravity’s effect on motility phenotypes. While motile strains like Escherichia coli K12 have been studied extensively under microgravity conditions, the effects of simulated microgravity on non-motile strains are largely unknown. To better understand this relationship, the nonmotile E. coli MG1655 strain was inoculated and exposed to simulated microgravity via a 2D clinostat to study growth, biofilm development, and behavior under osmotic stress conditions. Results from this experiment suggest significant changes in phenotypical expression occur in a microgravity environment, which presents potential implications for adverse effects to the human gut and skin microbiota like increased cell inhibition and virulence.