[Transmission and exchange of genetic information during bacterial conjugation in ground-based simulations of the factors of orbital flight]. / Peredacha i obmen geneticheskogo materiala pri bakterial'noi kon"iugatsii v nazemnykh éksperimentakh, imitiruiushikh usloviia orbital'nogo poleta.

Control laboratory experiments on bacterial conjugation under simulated spaceflight conditions were performed with the use of new equipment (bioreactor RECOMB-2 and container BIOMAGNISTAT) within the RSA-NASA science program. External parameters were selected and the plan of simulation of a space experiment was verified to ensure high efficiency of the conjugative transfer of chromosomal and plasmid DNA and storage of hybrids on the ground. Genetic analysis of conjugative hybrids E. coli supported the hypothesized possibility of transfer of a whole bacterial chromosome during conjugation that will lead to relative stabilization of the diploid state. Earlier this hypothesis was used to interpret results of experiments performed on MIR in 1992-1993. Hence, the ground laboratory investigations proved the conclusion about high probability of transfer of large fragments or even a whole chromosome during space flight. Screening of the geomagnetic field by BIOMAGNISTAT increases the probability of conjugative contacts between cells and is likely to slightly inhibit the processes of recombination.

[Biological techniques in space]. / Biologicheskie tekhnologii v kosmose.

The review is dedicated to the biotechnological studies in space. The main directions of studies in the space biotechnology are the developments of life support systems, crystallogenesis of biological macromolecules, separation of proteins and cells with the help of electrophoresis as well as the studies of cellular, subcellular and molecular processes induced by the spaceflight factors effect. The experience gained in the cultivation of unicellular organisms, the selection of perspective species and strains of microorganisms, the use of them in the ecological life-support system under development is considered in detail. The development of tooling designed for performing the overall technological chain ranged from growing the cell cultures to isolating the individual macromolecules and their storage has been followed. Findings gained in the studies of the transmittance of genetic material in the microorganisms allow one to hope that in perspective the microgravity conditions will be capable of cultivating the highly effective strains of the producers.

[Variability of mycelial microorganisms in space flight]. / Izmenchivost' mitselial'nykh mikroorganizmov v usloviiakh deistviia faktorov kosmicheskogo poleta.

The effect of space flight factors on the mycelial procaryotic (Streptomyces roseoflavus var. roseofungini) and eucaryotic (Fusarium bulbigenum var blasticola) microorganisms has been studied. Phenotypical changes were observed in all the strains studied. The ability to form secondary colonies decreased with reduction of the time interval between inoculation and spacecraft launch. The antimicrobial spectrum of Str. roseoflavus, a producer of an antifungal antibiotic, changed too.