If you are wondering why NASA would send Fungi to the ISS, well it’s for the development of medicine.
As per the researchers from the USC, the experiments will be carried out by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and scientists from the University.
A specimen of Aspergillus nidulans will be put in space microgravity and high-radiation conditions for developing new medicines. These medications will be used in both Space and Earth.
SpaceX CRS-8 mission will be responsible for carrying the specimen on April 8 from Cape. After the explosion of CRS-7 in June 2015, the upcoming launch will be SpaceX’s first cargo resupply mission, reports revealed.
As per a statement by the USC, “Certain types of fungi produce very important molecules called secondary metabolites that are not essential for their growth or reproduction but can be used to make beneficial pharmaceuticals. Examples of secondary metabolites include the antibiotic penicillin and the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin”.
While the idea of fungus is not as pleasant as you may want it to be. Nor do you want it on your food, nor on any part of your body in the form of an infection. However, the fungi kingdom has been beneficial to humans in many ways.
Image Credit: NASA