Youtube spacelab entry: Let's send B. subtilis into space!

Sara Ma and Dorothy Chen, juniors from Troy High School

Experiment:
Send Bacillus subtilis into space in order to observe the changes in its virulence after being exposed to a microgravity environment. Salmonella grown in such an environment showed increased virulence upon returning to Earth, most likely due to an increased fluid shear that made the salmonella think it was growing in a human gut.

We would like to test whether the same effects apply to this fungicide: Bacillus subtilis. We are curious as to whether the same factors that curbed salmonella's virulence will have the same effect on B. subtilis's effectiveness as a fungicide.

Alternately, we are also interested in the probiotic capabilities of B. subtilis. Increased virulence in probiotics is beneficial. It indicates that the "good" bacteria is more efficient at out-competing "bad" bacteria.

If our hypothesis is supported, more research may be done to develop methods of decreasing the virulence of certain diseases, with the aid of microgravity.

----------------------------------------­----------------------------------------­-----------------

Woohoo, we're finalists!!
VOTE FOR US :)

----------------------------------------­----------------------------------------­-----------------

Thanks for watching!
Extra thanks for those of you that voted for us! We really appreciate it.

We are now regional winners :)

• Category

  Science & Technology

[kingluc517]

Great idea. Let's go to space and make a mega virus. Awesome.

[mozo25]

today i went to school. 2+2=potatuh

[Calvin324]

I've been trying to keep updated but have been real busy with school work, when will the results be available? and will it be in video form?

[serefkana]

Inb4 global pandemic

[DankJesus420]

Fuckin chinamen and their science

[AAAdeeno]

You guys are really cool. Way to go.



[TurKlack]

UH UH I know a great new experiment we put the new Virus and Amrs Spider in one box an watch what happens.

[TurKlack]

End of the World we are coming....but DAMN this Experiment sounds fucking interesting.

[JunWhappiness]

I'm scared

[mohit9206]

ZOMBIES !!!!!!!!!!

[Clive Gordon]

As long as its used for the good of mankind, great. But if not, be very very scared!

[Kaarrll Teeii]

they should make a plant mutating bacteria first... before making zombies. . :D