This opportunity is brought to you by a Carleton alumnus, Jithran Ekanayake ’20. You are welcome to reach out to Jithran at jithranekanayake@ufl.edu or (612) 404-7745 with any questions about the organization or position prior to applying.
Students will join preparation for microbiology experiments headed for the International Space Station, and in the process receive training on all genetics and microbiology work needed to:
- culture the wild-type of a bioplastic-producing bacteria,
- create a double knockout strain using allelic exchange via homologous recombination to increase bioplastic yields, and
- perform directed evolution to ensure it survives in space. Students will also be trained on variable gravity simulators including high aspect-ratio vessels and a random positioning machine and may join as co-authors on a subsequent manuscript covering the ISS work.
Learning Objectives
- Understand why astronauts will need to produce all consumables necessary for their survival on location, or in situ, during future long-duration deep space exploration missions.
- Differentiate between biological and physicochemical in situ resource utilization strategies, using examples from the International Space Station and past robotic missions to Mars.
- Describe the need for renewable supply chains for producing the bioplastic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) during long-duration missions.
- Master molecular and cell biology techniques needed to culture the PHB-producing bacterium Cupriavidus basilensis 4G11 and engineer it for improved bioplastic yields.
- Characterize the parametric effects of spaceflight and simulated variable gravity on the growth and productivity of C. basilensis 4G11.
Qualification:
Currently enrolled in or have taken Biology 125 (Carleton’s course).