The Effect of Microgravity on Chryseobacterium Aquaticum Growth

Student Scientists Co-Principal Investigators: Josh Choi, Greg Nelson, Sophia Novacic and Ryan Olsen

Background Information Chryseobacterium Aquaticum is a gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore forming rod. It produces a protease that has a broad spectrum of antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi. It also exhibited other plant growth promoting traits that could make it advantageous for agricultural applications on Earth and beyond. Therefore, Chryseobacterium Aquaticum has the ability to act both as an anti-fungal protection and a fertilizer for plants.

Hypothesis If Chryseobacterium Aquaticum is introduced to a microgravity environment, then it will grow at a faster rate.

Procedure Three identical vials were filled with equal amounts of Chryseobacterium Aquaticum, nutrient agar, and formalin. The first vial was designated to go to space. The second one was to stay on Earth. The third was the control.

In Space The nutrient agar and the formalin in the Space and Earth vials were released at the same time.

On Earth To isolate the factor of microgravity on the rate of Chryseobacterium Aquaticum growth, the Earth vial was treated to simulate the extraneous factors put upon the space vial to eliminate inaccurate data. For example, the Earth vial was shaken up to simulate the G- forces the space vial experienced on the flight.

Testing Once the space vial was returned to Earth, it was opened and the substance was removed from the vial through pipettes. The same was done to the Earth vial. A spectrometer was used to determine the masses of the substances so they could be compared.

Results The spectrometer showed that Chryseobacterium Aquaticum not only survived in space, but grew better. Final Mass Data Control: grams Earth: grams Space: grams

Acknowledgments Partner Institutions: Howard County Public School System Maryland Space Grant Consortium MdBio Foundation J. Craig Venter Institute SSEP Community Program Co-Directors: Mary Weller Secondary Science Coordinator, Howard County Public School System Sharon Kramer BCMS and Technology Education Instructional Facilitator, Howard County Public School System