Research Area: Microbiology

Mission: 8th ESA Student Parabolic Flight Campaign (SPFC) 2005

Objectives:

Microbiology experiments under microgravity conditions have not been extensively researched to the degree of some other areas of research yet are as important to human space exploration as any other. The effects of microgravity on transport across cell membranes, the reactions of microbial organisms to light, and cytoplasm streaming are amongst areas of interest. In addition to the microbiological experiments the team intends to provide added value to the experiments by designing an outreach and education program for students and communities. These experiments aim to study microbiological processes under micro and hyper gravity for further understanding of these processes and possible extension to ISS experiments.

Procedure:

The design and main procedure for the parabolic flight experiments will be carried out by Olathe Clark and Aaron Gronstal. This will include experimental design, preliminary testing with the ISU drop tower, experiment set-up and participation in the experiment on board the A-300 during the parabolic flight.
In support of the microbiological experiment, Steven Wathiong will provide the majority of the technical information and procedures. This will include the design of the structure, electrical and mechanical aspects of the experiment and the provision and building and testing of the experimental hardware.
The outreach, education and support to the microbiological experiments will be designed and implemented by Tom Gordon. This will include research of the design of an outreach and education program based on the experiment, the design of introductory and follow up material for students & teachers and liaising between the experiment team and communities.

References: ESA Parabolic flight campaigns

The presence of a gravitropic response in the filamentous Cyanobacteria, Arthrospira (formerly Spirulina) platensis will be tested for. Three response indicators will be used:

1. Gravity-induced absorbance changes (GAIC) using a photospectrometer;
2. Variation in metabolic processes by pH changes in the sample; and
3. Changes in motility by visual observations from a light microscope.

It is expected that one, or more, of these indicators will be observed in A. plantensis during the parabolic flights if a gravitropic response exists. A. platensis is an extremely adaptable multicellular micro-organism, which metabolizes CO2 into O2 via photosynthesis and is as an excellent source of nutrition. It is currently being researched for use in bioregenerative life support systems for space.

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