STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE EXPRESSION OF GENES IN SPACE I AND II (SPEGIS I AND SPEGIS
II), TWO INVESTIGATIONS
Research Area: Microbiology
Expedition(s): 15, 21, and 22
Principal Investigator(s): ● David W. Niesel, PhD, University of Texas Medical Branch,
Galveston, Texas
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Streptococcus pneumoniae Expression of Gene in Space
(SPEGIS) examines the behavior and growth of bacteria in
microgravity and investigates the effects of the space
environment on the gene expression, protein production,
and virulence of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae.
The data collected also provides insight on what types of
bacterial infections may occur during long-duration space
missions and the risks to crew members.EARTH BENEFITS
Analyzing and understanding the
mechanisms utilized by S.
pneumoniae to adapt to
microgravity can lead to the
development of novel methods to combat newly emerging drug-resistant strains, which could
greatly assist in disease prevention and management on Earth.
SPACE BENEFITS
Identification of the global genetic responses undergone by S. pneumoniae in reaction to space
enables this single-flight experiment to determine if the spacecraft environment exerts a
selective pressure on microbial contaminants, leading to increased virulence and contributing
to increased health risks to the crew. Results from SPEGIS also provides information on the
threat of opportunistic pathogens in the space environment, which assists in the development
of diagnostic tools to monitor the atmosphere and surfaces (air, soil, and food) for the presence
S118E06158 - Missions Specialist, Astronaut Barbara Morgan is
inserting the samples for the SPEGIS investigation into the Minus
Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer for ISS for storage during the
mission.A scientist loads a vial into the
Streptococcus Pneumoniae Expression
of Genes in Space canister. In the
background, the vials are stored in a
four degree C Labtop cooler. NASA’s
Ames Research Center, Dominic Hart
image.