Preferential Growth of an Aquatic Bacterium in Low-Shear Modeled Microgravity
Date
2019-12
Authors
DiPasquale, Quentin
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Abstract
Bacteria are known to respond to a variety of chemical and physical stimuli. Although gravity is universally encountered by all life forms, preferential growth in simulated low gravity has not been previously investigated. Water samples from the San Marcos River were cultured in a low-shear modeled microgravity (LSMMG) environment and three isolates were obtained. Culture studies included monoculture and mixed culture studies in LSMMG and full gravity (1g) conditions. The responses that were observed signify a change of growth when cultured in LSMMG between monoculture and polymicrobial cultures, and a change in motility. In addition to growth studies, whole-genome sequencing was performed on the environmental isolates to identify the species and potential genes that explain the response when grown in LSMMG. This study is the first observing competition and preferential growth of environmental bacteria in LSMMG.
Description
Keywords
Low-shear modeled microgravity, LSMMG, Bacteria, Exiguobacter
Citation
DiPasquale, Q. (2019). <i>Preferential growth of an aquatic bacterium in low-shear modeled microgravity</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.