Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31730: Fighting Bacteria in Space: High School Students Investigate Antibiotic Resistance on the ISS

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest challenges in modern medicine. But what happens when bacteria are exposed to antibiotics in space? That’s what students at Whittier Christian High School set out to explore in their NanoRacks experiment aboard the ISS.

Their project tested how E. coli bacteria responded to the antibiotic Kanamycin in microgravity. Would the bacteria become more resistant? Would the antibiotic still be effective?

This real-life experiment helped students investigate the effects of spaceflight on microbial behavior—something critically important for astronaut health. If bacteria behave differently in space, our strategies for preventing infections must adapt.

By monitoring bacterial growth, gene expression, and antibiotic performance, students gained firsthand insights into biotechnology, microbiology, and pharmacology. Their results contribute to NASA’s efforts to safeguard astronauts and maintain clean habitats aboard long-duration space missions.

This project demonstrates that with curiosity and dedication, high school students can make meaningful contributions to science.

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