Phenotypic Changes Exhibited by E. coli Cultured in Space.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria will accompany humans in our exploration of space, making it of importance to study their adaptation to the microgravity environment. To investigate potential phenotypic changes for bacteria grown in space, Escherichia coli was cultured onboard the International Space Station with matched controls on Earth. Samples were challenged with different concentrations of gentamicin sulfate to study the role of drug concentration on the dependent variables in the space environment. Analyses included assessments of final cell count, cell size, cell envelope thickness, cell ultrastructure, and culture morphology. A 13-fold increase in final cell count was observed in space with respect to the ground controls and the space flight cells were able to grow in the presence of normally inhi

SUBMITTER: Zea L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5581483 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature