Cystobasidium onofrii sp. nov. : a radiation-tolerant yeast with potential applications in space exploration
Cystobasidium onofrii sp. nov. is a novel species of fungus that was recently discovered in the Mars 2020 mission assembly facilities. It is a member of the Basidiomycota phylum, and it is most closely related to the fungus Cystobasidium albinellum. The species is named after Dr. Onofrii P. Stanchev, a leading expert on fungi. Cystobasidium […]
Naganishia kalamii sp. nov. : a radiation-tolerant yeast with potential applications in space exploration
Naganishia kalamii sp. nov. is a novel species of yeast that was recently discovered in the Mars 2020 mission assembly facilities. The facilities are located in cleanrooms that are designed to minimize the presence of microorganisms. The discovery of Naganishia kalamii sp. nov. suggests that the yeast is able to survive in extreme environments, such […]
Advancing the automation of plant nucleic acid extraction for rapid diagnosis of plant diseases in space
Link to the paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/…/fpls.2023.1194753/full The paper discusses the development of a method for automating the extraction of plant nucleic acid to facilitate the rapid diagnosis of plant diseases for future spaceflight applications. The method was tested on three different plant pathosystems and proved to be effective in producing DNA for PCR and sequencing, demonstrating […]
The Use of Mice as Models for Human Disease Research
Mice have been used as models for human disease research for over a century. They are small, relatively inexpensive to maintain, and have a short generation time, making them ideal for large-scale studies. Mice are also genetically similar to humans, sharing about 99% of their DNA. This makes them a valuable tool for studying the […]
3D-Printed Hearts on ISS: A New Frontier in Deep Space Travel
The harsh environment of space poses a number of challenges for astronauts, including the risk of radiation damage to vital organs. The heart is particularly vulnerable to radiation damage, as it is a highly vascularized organ that receives a large amount of blood flow. This makes it a major target for radiation-induced damage, which can […]
Beliefs and opinions about the existence of life outside the earth: The UFOExperiences Questionnaire (UFO-Q)
Marking the milestone of our 100th post-publication here, I’m excited to share an intriguing questionnaire-based study conducted in Spain about UFOs. Looking forward to connecting again on more captivating projects like this in the near future! Beliefs and opinions about the existence of life outside the earth: The UFOExperiences Questionnaire (UFO-Q) Link to the paper: […]
Rotating Wall Vessels (RWVs) as Microgravity Simulators for Research
Rotating wall vessels (RWVs) are ground-based devices that are used to simulate microgravity. They do this by rotating a cylindrical vessel containing a liquid culture of cells or tissues. The rotation creates a centrifugal force that counteracts the force of gravity, effectively suspending the cells or tissues in a weightless environment.RWVs are a valuable tool […]
Selected Crops for Microgravity Simulations
Microgravity is the condition of weightlessness experienced in outer space. It is a challenging environment for plants to grow in, as they are used to the pull of gravity. However, microgravity research is important for understanding how plants respond to this environment, and for developing strategies to grow plants in space. A number of crops […]
Development of an inexpensive 3D clinostat and comparison with other microgravity simulators using Mycobacterium marinum
Link to the paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/…/frspt.2022.1032610/full The paper describes the development of an inexpensive 3D clinostat that can simulate microgravity on Earth. The optimal combination of inner and outer frame velocities to simulate microgravity was determined using a computer model, and the device was tested using Mycobacterium marinum. The contributions of this paper are: Development of […]
Mycobacterium marinum: A Model Organism for Studying the Effects of Space Travel on Microbial Pathogens
Mycobacterium marinum is a Gram-positive, aerobic bacterium that is commonly found in water. It is a known pathogen of fish and frogs, but it can also infect humans, causing skin lesions. M. marinum is a relatively hardy organism that can survive in extreme environments, such as those found in space. This makes it a promising […]