The key to the future development of the Salmonella vaccine and other life-saving vaccines is how bacteria respond to a microgravity environment. Many of the bacteria and viruses that are subjects of space experimentation either reproduce more rapidly or show heightened virulence (ability to cause infection). "When you see increased virulence in these bugs, it helps you target potential therapeutic candidates of a particular disease," explained John Porter, chief executive officer of Astrogenetix. "Through this series of experiments, we are demonstrating that the International Space Station can be utilized as a platform for novel drug discovery."
展开▼
