SpaceX Sends Disease-Causing Bacteria to the International Space Station: What It Means for Science and Space Exploration

There’s an interesting experiment happening on the International Space Station (ISS) right now. It’s about disease-causing bacteria and how they behave in space. Scientists from Sheba Medical Center in Israel and SpaceTango, a U.S. space tech company, are diving into this research.

The goal? To see how microgravity changes the growth of harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. They’ve shipped these bacteria to the ISS as part of NASA’s Crew-11 mission, launched on August 1, 2023. Once they grow, researchers will freeze the samples and analyze them back on Earth.

Past research has hinted that gravity affects bacterial behavior. NASA has been studying bacteria in space for years, focusing on how these microorganisms might evolve, especially in terms of antibiotic resistance. This is a major concern right now, as some bacteria have become tougher to treat because they resist common medications.

Ohad Gal-Mor, who leads the infectious diseases lab at Sheba Medical Center, stated, “Space conditions affect bacterial behavior, including how they grow and acquire traits like resistance.” Knowing how bacteria adapt in space could eventually help us tackle infections better.

This exploration goes beyond just bacteria. Scientists are also looking at how microgravity impacts the human body. It’s been observed that astronauts lose muscle more quickly in space, and they can even develop skin issues. A study noted that around 75% of astronauts experience changes in their immune system while in space, which might lead to higher vulnerability to infections.

By studying bacteria in microgravity, researchers hope to understand what makes them tick when they enter the human body. This knowledge could be key for shaping better treatments for infections, both in space travel and here on Earth.

As more astronauts plan missions to distant planets, such as Mars, this research is becoming increasingly vital. Understanding health risks in space will ensure that astronauts can stay healthy as we embark on deeper space exploration.

If you want to learn more about the ongoing research in space and its implications, check out NASA’s [latest updates](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/nasa-sends-experiment-to-space-to-study-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria/).

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