Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31726: Can Antibiotics Grow in Space? Students Examine Penicillin in Microgravity

Have you ever wondered whether antibiotics like penicillin can grow in space? Students from Valley Christian Junior High School did—and they designed an experiment aboard the ISS to find out.

During Expedition 39/40, the students conducted the 'Penicillin Growth Preferences in a Microgravity Environment' experiment. Penicillin, produced by the Penicillium mold, is a cornerstone of modern medicine. Understanding its growth in space is vital for ensuring astronauts have access to reliable medical treatments during long-duration missions.

The experiment compared the mold's growth in microgravity to its behavior on Earth. Students hypothesized that the absence of gravity might affect the mold’s structure, growth rate, or the concentration of the antibiotic it produces.

Using a compact module, astronauts inoculated culture mediums with Penicillium spores and incubated them under controlled conditions. After the incubation period, the samples were preserved and returned to Earth for analysis.

The results showed subtle differences in mold growth and spore formation. While penicillin was still produced, microgravity appeared to affect the morphology of the mold. This raises interesting questions about biomanufacturing in space—could we one day produce antibiotics aboard space stations or Mars habitats?

This student-led project proves that even junior high students can contribute valuable insights to space health science. It also demonstrates the importance of STEM education and hands-on experimentation in developing future space explorers.

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