Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31684: Yeast in Space: SMA Unggul Del Investigates Microgravity Metabolism

Imagine the tiny yeast cell Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly used in baking and brewing, becoming a space traveler. The NanoRacks-SMA Unggul Del experiment explored how this familiar organism metabolizes in the microgravity environment aboard the ISS.

Led by Indonesian students from SMA Unggul Del, the experiment investigated aerobic metabolism—a process where cells convert glucose into energy using oxygen. The goal was to compare how this vital biological process is affected in space compared to Earth.

In microgravity, cellular activities often behave unpredictably. Fluid dynamics change, molecular signaling pathways can be altered, and even gene expression might shift. Observing yeast in this setting provided insights not only for basic biology but also for biomanufacturing and sustainability in long-term space missions.

Students prepared yeast cultures and monitored their growth and metabolic activity during the mission. By measuring factors like gas production, pH changes, and sugar consumption, they could determine whether microgravity altered the fermentation process.

This experiment was more than a biology lesson; it was a training ground for future scientists and engineers. It showcased how student-led research can contribute meaningfully to space exploration.

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