The Heterotrophic Growth of Algae in Microgravity Steven F, Myles K, Kyle S, Will B Teacher Facilitator: Todd White, EISD

What is our project? Sending algae to a microgravity environment to observe its growth. Compare to a ground truth experiment. Investigate how algae growth is affected by micro- gravity conditions. Investigate how percent lipid content of the algae is affected by growth in micro-gravity.

Why is our project important? Algae applications in medicine, nutrition, and energy. Source of oxygen. Algal lipids provide many valuable products, so it is important to know how their production is affected in space.

Materials N. oleoabundans (Algae) Glucose (Energy source) Puromycin 1000x solution (Growth inhibitor)

N. oleoabundans Chosen because it can be grown in photosynthetic and heterotrophic conditions. Can be grown in confined spaces. Has a variety of uses.

Procedures on ISS Combine dormant algae and glucose solution, and shake gently for 20 seconds. Allow algae to grow for 9 days. Combine puromycin with growing algae and shake for 60 seconds.

Analysis Calculate dry cell weight and lipid content. Compare values of the ground truth and algae grown on the ISS.

Our Lab Algae grown with help from Nanohmics Inc. Algae processed and results analyzed at the Center for Electromechanics (CEM) with the help of Dr. Connelly, CEM engineer.

What we learned We learned a lot about algae and its implications. We learned how to design an experiment. We learned how to operate various types of laboratory equipment. We learned about microgravity and the ISS.

Partners Eanes ISD: Jerri LaMirand, Steve Ramsey, Todd White, Dillon Finan & Carol Reese Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, SSEP National Partner University Texas Austin: Center for Electromechanics, Dr. Rhykka Connelly Nanohmics Incorporated: Michael McAleer Thermo Scientific Austin: Gilbert Ortiz Algal Scientific Corporation: Bobby Levine