WCHS-E. Coli and Kanamycin) NanoRacks-Whittier Christian High School-E. Coli Bacteria and Kanamycin Antibiotic (NanoRacks-
ANTIBIOTIC (NANORACKS-WCHS-E. COLI AND KANAMYCIN)
Research Area: Student-Developed Investigations
Expedition(s): 29 and 30
Principal Investigator(s): ● Whittier Christian High School, La Habra, California
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
NanoRacks-Whittier Christian High School-E.Coli Bacteria and Kanamycin Antibiotic (NanoRacks-
WCHS E. Coli and Kanamycin) is a NanoLab project studying the growth of Escherichia coli (E.
coli) bacteria in microgravity and the E. coli bacteria’s resistance to the antibiotic Kanamycin by
varying the antibiotic dosage.
EARTH BENEFITS
Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria cause major
illnesses. The microgravity environment on the
International Space Station (ISS) provides a
means to determine the degree of antibiotic
resistance and dosage level required to
eliminate bacterial colonies. Removing gravity
has proven to cause bacteria to grow differently
and by determining dosage response in
microgravity to ground controls, improved
treatment methodologies might be developed.
SPACE BENEFITS
Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are found as
normal flora in the human body. While most
strains are harmless, some can cause major illness. It is important to determine the antibiotic
resistance of E. coli in order to treat crew members who might potentially be infected by this
bacteria.
RESULTS
Students studied the growth of green fluorescent protein tagged Escherichia coli (E. coli)
bacteria in microgravity and the E. coli bacteria’s resistance to the antibiotic Kanamycin by
varying the antibiotic dosage. Photos of the bacteria were taken to determine its growth as
measured by the amount of fluorescence. The bacteria’s resistance to antibiotics was
determined by measuring the decrease in fluorescence.
This investigation is complete and all results are published.
This image shows a microscopic view of E. coli
(Escherichia coli) bacteria that is enhanced with color.
Science Kids image.