Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31078: Feeding the Future: How Cyanobacteria Thrive in Space

Cyanobacteria—tiny photosynthetic organisms—may hold the key to sustaining life on long-duration space missions. The experiment titled "Comparative Growth and Proteomics Responses of Cyanobacteria on Urea and Nitrate in Microgravity" investigates how these organisms adapt to the space environment when fed different nitrogen sources. Led by Dr. Shireesh Srivastava from ICGEB, this study is a collaboration among ESA, ESTEC, and ISRO.

Conducted during Expedition 73, this biotechnology experiment compares cyanobacteria growth in microgravity when provided with either urea or nitrate. Both are nitrogen sources, but their biochemical pathways and cellular uptake mechanisms differ. Understanding these responses is crucial because cyanobacteria can potentially support life support systems by recycling waste, producing oxygen, and generating biomass.

Proteomics analysis—studying the protein expression patterns—helps scientists identify which cellular processes are activated or suppressed in microgravity. The findings provide insights into how space conditions influence metabolic efficiency and resilience.

For students, this experiment highlights core concepts in microbiology, biochemistry, and sustainability. It illustrates how even microscopic life can be pivotal in human survival beyond Earth. It also offers a peek into systems biology and the futuristic concept of closed-loop bioregenerative systems in space habitats.

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