Effect of vibration, as a factor associated with cosmic flight on a lysogenic culture of E. coli K-12 (λ)

Abstract

The biological space research program envisages the study of the conditions of life in cosmic space by biological and, in particular, by microbiological methods and the investigation and the genetic effects produced by the action of the factors of flight in cosmic space.Investigations to study the genetic effects of cosmic flight were undertaken with lysogenic bacteria. In the lysogenic strain E. coli K-12, carrying prophage X, a genetic reaction (the formation of induced phage) is produced by tenths of a roentgen. It could therefore be used in all cases when it was necessary to determine how cells react to ionizing radiation. The use of a lysogenic system is particularly promising for the elucidation of the genetic effects of agents acting collectively: ionizing radiation and factors associated with cosmic flight, for example vibration, acceleration, and weightlessness.In the present experiments, carried out during the flights of ships "Vostok-3,""Vostok-4," "Vostok-5," and "Vostok-6" [1,2], a statistically significant increase was observed in the induced phage production of E. coli K-t2 m (X) in the experimental specimens by comparison with the controls remaining on the cosmodrome. TABLE 1. Effect of Vibration of Different Frequency on Phage Production of the Lysogenic Culture E. coli K-12 (X) Frequency and duration of vibration ~(~-) ,8cps ascps rscps] lO0cpsL r00cps 15mm a0mm a0minil~miI~ ]1sin.in 60rain. Me an 1,! 0,6