Space Microbiology

Elucidating the Effects of Microgravity on Biological and Chemical Systems

We are currently studying spaceflight-driven anemia in the context of the bone marrow microenvironment.


Introduction

Space Microbiology encompasses the nexus between biological, biomedical and chemical sciences within an engineering-focused environment. Spaceflight, and more specifically the phenomena of microgravity and radiation, perturb biological cells in countless ways. Understanding exactly how this occurs is an ongoing challenge; this mission contributes to this research tradition, pursuing projects to promote a vision of long-term human spaceflight.


Mission Goals

  • Elucidating the impact of microgravity environments on chemical and biological systems

  • Providing a warm and welcoming environment to learn dry- and wet-lab microbiology, from both a biological and chemical perspective.


Related Skills

  • Wet-Lab Experimentation: Bacterial Cloning Chemical Reactions

  • Flow Cytometry

  • Microscopy

  • Tissue-Culture / Dry-Lab Experimentation: NMR Analysis

  • RNA-sequencing Analysis

  • SEM Analysis / Engineering: Payload Construction

  • Fluidics Delivery & Design


Mission Directors

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Theodore Nelson

CC 2024

Computer Science

[email protected]

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Dennis Zhang

CC 2024

Biology

[email protected]



Recent News

Microbio Visits JPL posted in microbio

May 22, 2023

A special look into the Space Microbiology’s visit to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)!

Inspecting the 2D Clinostat

Host Dr. Ceth Parker, and Space Microbiology Co-Leads Miriam Aziz and Theodore Nelson, inspect the rotary cell culture system (RCCS) from Synthecon, one of the 2D ‘simulated microgravity’ clinostats.

From left to right: Dr. Ceth Parker, Theodore Nelson, Miriam Aziz
Image courtesy of Jake Lee



Visiting Mission Control

JPL Escort Jake Lee and the Space Microbiology Team pose for a photo in the lobby of the Mission Control Center at NASA JPL.

From left to right: Jake Lee, Miriam Aziz, Theodore Nelson, Michelle Brose, Błażej Raszewski, Chloe Jones, Rashell Ramirez, Somin Lee, Brianna Przywozny
Image courtesy of Jake Lee



Outlining the Experiment

Host Dr. Ceth Parker, and Space Microbiology Team Members Somin Lee, Michelle Brose, Brianna Przywozny, and Rashell Ramirez outline the planned zinc oxide formation experiment on the whiteboard.

From left to right: Michelle Brose, Jake Lee, Dr. Ceth Parker, Somin Lee, Brianna Przywozny, Rashell Ramirez
Image courtesy of Miriam Aziz



Dare Mighty Things!

The Space Microbiology Team poses in front of a sign that reads ‘Dare Mighty Things!’ a slogan associated with NASA’s rover missions to Mars.

From left to right: Theodore Nelson, Miriam Aziz, Brianna Przywozny, Somin Lee, Michelle Brose, Rashell Ramirez, Błażej Raszewski, Chloe Jones
Image courtesy of Theodore Nelson



JPL!

The Space Microbiology Team poses in front of the stone JPL sign at the entrance to the campus.

From left to right: Michelle Brose, Theodore Nelson, Miriam Aziz, Somin Lee, Brianna Przywozny, Rashell Ramirez, Chloe Jones
Image courtesy of Theodore Nelson



Mission Control!

The Space Microbiology Team poses inside the JPL Mission Control Center.

From left to right: Chloe Jones, Rashell Ramirez, Theodore Nelson, Brianna Przywozny, Somin Lee, Miriam Aziz, Błażej Raszewski, Michelle Brose
Image courtesy of Jake Lee