Offworld Space Biology: Streptococcus Pneumoniae Behavior In Microgravity
An image shows the culture medium bags during preflight testing as part of the MVP Cell-09. Credit. University of Alabama at Birmingham. Date Created:2026-01-29 Larger image
This investigation aims to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia damages heart tissue.
Bacteria are generally more active and virulent in the unique conditions of space. Investigators hypothesize microgravity may amplify the effects of Streptococcus pneumoniae on heart cells, exaggerating important cell responses that would not be detected on Earth.
Astrobiology, Space Biology,
