Effects of Microgravity on Beneficial Interactions Between Microbes and Animals

The effects of spaceflight on those beneficial microbes that associate with animal tissues is an emerging area in space biology, however, many questions persist regarding how homeostasis between host and microbiome is maintained in the space environment. In this presentation, I address a recent space flight experiment in which the responses of both host and microbe were examined in vivo under spaceflight conditions. Specifically, we examined the onset of colonization of the bacterium Vibrio fischeri on the light organ crypt epithelial cells of the host squid Euprymna scolopes under spaceflight conditions. The discussed results suggest that maintaining healthy relationships with the natural microbiome may be critical for maintain homeostasis during spaceflight.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Review the complexities of conducting a space flight experiment.

2. Summarize how beneficial microbes can induce host morphogenesis.

3. Demonstrate understanding of how the space flight environment can alter animal physiology.