The influence of microgravity on cellular adhesion, biofilm formation and invasive growth in the model eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Yeast In No Gravity (YING)

Persons :

• Dr.  WILLAERT Ronnie - Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
  Coordinator of the project
  Financed belgian partner
  Duration: 1/1/2006-31/12/2008
  
• Prof. dr.  DELVAUX Freddy - Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven)
  Financed belgian partner
  Duration: 1/1/2006-31/12/2008
  
• Prof. dr.  DEVREESE Bart - Universiteit Gent (UGent)
  Financed belgian partner
  Duration: 1/1/2006-31/12/2008
  
• Dr.  VAN HUMMELEN Paul - Flanders Interuniversity Institute of Biotechnology (VIB)
  Financed belgian partner
  Duration: 1/1/2006-31/12/2008
  

Description :

The influence of microgravity on “Flo processes”, cell-surface interaction on solid (biofilm formation and invasive growth) and cell-cell interaction in liquid media (flocculation), in S. cerevisiae will be studied. Microgravity will have a direct impact on the yeast cell physiology due to a changed gravitational micro-environment and in the case of yeast cell cultivation in liquid media, also the changed shear environment in microgravity will have an effect. The overall goal is to obtain a detailed insight into the importance of gravity and shear stress on the formation of organised cell structures, such as yeast flocs, biofilms and filaments, which are of considerable interest for both fundamental science and industry as well as the medical field.

Satellite(s) or flight opportunity(ies):

- Stand-alone on ISS
- KUBIK on ISS
- EMCS on ISS


Field of research:

Life Sciences: Molecular and Cell Biology