A wide variety of previous experiments have indicated that the space flight environment has a positive influence on the proliferation of microorganisms. Based on this premise, it was hypothesized that the production of secondary metabolites (specifically antibiotics) would also be increased as a consequence of the enhanced growth. Pilot studies performed onboard two shuttle missions to date have indicated that microbial antibiotic production was significantly increased in space grown colonies relative to comparable, matched ground controls. The practical application of these preliminary findings is being investigated. The empirical data are being analyzed in an attempt to establish specific gravity-dependent cause and effect relationships. An analytical model is being developed to further establish how physical principles might give rise to the various physiological responses observed to be altered in space. The envisioned commercial applications stemming from the unique knowledge of how gravity affects natural processes range from developing methods for increasing terrestrial pharmaceutic production efficiency to, ultimately perhaps, the design of economically feasible, space-borne fermentation and bioprocessing platforms.


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    Title :

    Antibiotic production in space


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Space technology and applications international forum - 1998 ; 1998 ; Albuquerque,New Mexico (USA)


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 420 , 1 ; 633-637


    Publication date :

    1998-01-15


    Size :

    5 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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