Remedies from spacebound bacteria
30 Mar 2011 by Evoluted New Media
Bacteria shot into space in 2006 might provide inspiration for novel remedies on Earth say NASA scientists.
Bacteria shot into space in 2006 might provide inspiration for novel remedies on Earth say NASA scientists.
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ISS - the world’s most advanced and expensive bacterial incubator |
NASA sent two bacterial pathogens – Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas aerugingosa – and the fungal pathogen Candida albicans to the International Space Station in 2006 in the hope of unlocking the mystery of how these disease-causing agents work.
The pathogens were allowed to grow in appropriately contained vessels for several days before a team led by Cheryl Nickerson – associate professor at the Centre for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology in Arizona – evaluated global gene and protein expression and virulence changes in microbes in response to reduced gravity.
“We discovered that aspects of the environment that microbes encountered during space flight appeared to mimic key conditions that pathogens normally encounter in our bodies during the natural course of infection, particularly in the respiratory system, gastrointestinal system and urogenital tract,” Nickerson said.
The study shows that spaceflight creates a low fluid shear environment, where liquids exert little force as they flow over the surface of the cells. This environment affects the molecular genetic regulators that can make microbes more infectious and may function in a similar way to regulate microbial virulence during the course of infection in the human body.
"With our space-based research efforts, including the International Space Station, we are not only continuing our human presence in space, but we are engaged in science that can make a real difference in people's lives here on Earth," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "NASA's leadership in human spaceflight allows us to conduct innovative and ground-breaking science that reveals the unknown and unlocks the mysteries of how disease-causing agents work."
Researchers hope that their discoveries in space will not only help keep space travellers healthy, but also lead to advanced vaccines and therapies to better fight infections on Earth.
