title: [Transmission and exchange of genetic information during bacterial conjugation in ground-based simulations of the factors of orbital flight].
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: Iu P
authors.initials: IuP
authors.lastname: Zerov
authors.forename: Iu T
authors.initials: IuT
authors.lastname: Kalinin
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Os'kin
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Samarina
authors.forename: O V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Mitichkin
authors.forename: G Ia
authors.initials: GIa
authors.lastname: Shcherbakov
mesh_terms: D003227:Conjugation, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010375:Pedigree; D013026:Space Flight; D018561:Space Simulation