With space travel becoming more prominent, researchers have been avidly searching for ways to not only improve survivability of astronauts in space, but also allow for a thriving environment while on ..
With space travel becoming more prominent, researchers have been avidly searching for ways to not only improve survivability of astronauts in space, but also allow for a thriving environment while on long-duration missions. In order to execute this goal, scientists must first look at how an astronaut’s physiological health is affected by microgravity conditions, and how the dosage of antibiotics used to treat certain infections are affected as well. In this research study, the MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) of the antibiotic Gentamicin against Staphylococcus epidermidis will be evaluated and compared in both gravity and simulated microgravity conditions. The minimum inhibitory concentration is defined as the smallest dose required to effectively hinder growth of a certain bacterium. Because bacteria experience metabolic changes when exposed to microgravity, they change their resistance to antibiotics in space. The EagleStat was used as a microgravity simulation device to help mimic space conditions. After exposing the bacteria of interest to microgravity (treatment), results indicated a shorter lag period than those grown in gravity (control) conditions, thus requiring a larger dose of the antibiotic of interest.
