Microgravity’s Effect on the Virulence of Bacteriophage qB on Escherichia coli as a Possible Indicator of the Down-Regulation of Host Factor Hfq
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Authors
Cabrera, Juan Victor
Hoffler, Eshawn
Patkar, Ameya
Bibis, Stergios S.
Issue Date
2018-03-23
Type
Other
Language
en_US
Keywords
Bacteriophage qB , Down regulation , Escherichia coli , Microgravity
Alternative Title
Abstract
The virulence of viruses is a topic of interest for the wellbeing of human health during space travel. Little research has been conducted on differing virulence between bacteriophages in space and on earth. However, prior research suggests evidence that a difference may exist. Hfq is an RNA binding global regulator protein present in E. coli which has been shown to be required for Coliphage qB to infect E. coli. In a squid-vibrio experiment conducted under simulated microgravity, the hfq protein production was seen to be down-regulated in Vibrio fischeri. Our experiment aims to imitate results found by Grant under a real microgravity situation in Escherichia coli, given that Hfq is highly conserved in bacteria. The experiment will compare the virulence of Coliphage qB on E. coli in space to the virulence on land. The resulting difference in rates of Coliphage qB infection of E. coli may hint at unknown molecular mechanisms that bacteria and/or viruses employ under the effects of microgravity, and may provide evidence to suggest that hfq is also down-regulated in E. coli in microgravity. The implications of the results found by this experiment will be a step into determining the virulence of viruses and other infectious organisms during spaceflight and may lead to effective preventative measures to safeguard the health of humans in space.
Description
Faculty Research Day 2018: Student Spaceflight Experiments Program Finalist
Faculty Research Day 2018: Undergraduate Student Poster 2nd Place
Faculty Research Day 2018: Undergraduate Student Poster 2nd Place