Baby Bloodsuckers in Outer Space Principal Investigators: Julia - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Baby Bloodsuckers in Outer Space

Principal Investigators: Julia Ellis, Kasia Kaputska, Gia LaSalle, Bianca Urbina, Lilyana Walsh

Question and Answer (?)

• Will microgravity prevent Aedes

albopictus mosquitos from developing into pupae?

• Probably.
• Mosquito larvae float to the surface to

breathe and mature into pupae.

• Without gravity, they lack a mechanism

to float and so cannot breathe.

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Experimental Overview

• Volume 1 includes: dry mosquito eggs and nutrients

(brewer’s yeast and lab chow, or hamster food).

• Volume 2 includes: water and air.
• Volume 3 includes: fixative (10% neutral buffered

formalin).

• Parliamentary experiments have been done to

determine the proper volumes for all substances.

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Experimental Overview

• At launch, eggs will be dry.
• When Clamp A is released, water will activate

development.

• Experiment will continue 9 days.
• Then astronauts will release Clamp B to stop

development and fix mosquitoes when they should have matured into pupae.

• Compare results to ground truth experiment.

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Initial Feelings

We were more than happy to be picked to participate in this remarkable event. To even be one of the top three in over 150 projects completed was absolutely tremendous! 5

Working with Mosquitoes

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Our Launch Experience

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The following Parent Teacher Organizations:

• Governor Livingston
• Columbia Middle School
• Thomas P. Hughes Elementary

School

• Mountain Park School
• William Woodruff
• Mary Kay McMillin

Special thanks to Professor of Biology, Livdahl of Clark University,Worcester, MA for eggs, nutrients and special guidance. Program coordinators:

• Jim Flakker
• Susan Rembetsy

Teacher Facilitator: Pamela Wilczynski

Any Questions?

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