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Nickerson CA, McLean RJC, Barrila J, Yang J, Thornhill SG, Banken LL, Porterfield DM, Poste G, Pellis NR, Ott CM. Microbiology of human spaceflight: microbial responses to mechanical forces that impact health and habitat sustainability. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024:e0014423. [PMID: 39158275 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00144-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYUnderstanding the dynamic adaptive plasticity of microorganisms has been advanced by studying their responses to extreme environments. Spaceflight research platforms provide a unique opportunity to study microbial characteristics in new extreme adaptational modes, including sustained exposure to reduced forces of gravity and associated low fluid shear force conditions. Under these conditions, unexpected microbial responses occur, including alterations in virulence, antibiotic and stress resistance, biofilm formation, metabolism, motility, and gene expression, which are not observed using conventional experimental approaches. Here, we review biological and physical mechanisms that regulate microbial responses to spaceflight and spaceflight analog environments from both the microbe and host-microbe perspective that are relevant to human health and habitat sustainability. We highlight instrumentation and technology used in spaceflight microbiology experiments, their limitations, and advances necessary to enable next-generation research. As spaceflight experiments are relatively rare, we discuss ground-based analogs that mimic aspects of microbial responses to reduced gravity in spaceflight, including those that reduce mechanical forces of fluid flow over cell surfaces which also simulate conditions encountered by microorganisms during their terrestrial lifecycles. As spaceflight mission durations increase with traditional astronauts and commercial space programs send civilian crews with underlying health conditions, microorganisms will continue to play increasingly critical roles in health and habitat sustainability, thus defining a new dimension of occupational health. The ability of microorganisms to adapt, survive, and evolve in the spaceflight environment is important for future human space endeavors and provides opportunities for innovative biological and technological advances to benefit life on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl A Nickerson
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Robert J C McLean
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer Barrila
- Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Jiseon Yang
- Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Laura L Banken
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - D Marshall Porterfield
- Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - George Poste
- Complex Adaptive Systems Initiative, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | | | - C Mark Ott
- Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Ibrahim Z, Khan NA, Siddiqui R, Qaisar R, Marzook H, Soares NC, Elmoselhi AB. Gut matters in microgravity: potential link of gut microbiota and its metabolites to cardiovascular and musculoskeletal well-being. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2024; 21:66. [PMID: 39123239 PMCID: PMC11316329 DOI: 10.1186/s12986-024-00836-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota and its secreted metabolites play a significant role in cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health and diseases. The dysregulation of the intestinal microbiota poses a significant threat to cardiovascular and skeletal muscle well-being. Nonetheless, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these changes remain unclear. Furthermore, microgravity presents several challenges to cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health compromising muscle strength, endothelial dysfunction, and metabolic changes. The purpose of this review is to critically examine the role of gut microbiota metabolites on cardiovascular and skeletal muscle functions and dysfunctions. It also explores the molecular mechanisms that drive microgravity-induced deconditioning in both cardiovascular and skeletal muscle. Key findings in this review highlight that several alterations in gut microbiota and secreted metabolites in microgravity mirror characteristics seen in cardiovascular and skeletal muscle diseases. Those alterations include increased levels of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, elevated lipopolysaccharide levels (LPS), increased in para-cresol (p-cresol) and secondary metabolites, along with reduction in bile acids and Akkermansia muciniphila bacteria. Highlighting the potential, modulating gut microbiota in microgravity conditions could play a significant role in mitigating cardiovascular and skeletal muscle diseases not only during space flight but also in prolonged bed rest scenarios here on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Ibrahim
- Research Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
- Basic Medical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naveed A Khan
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS,, UK
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey
| | - Rizwan Qaisar
- Research Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
- Basic Medical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hezlin Marzook
- Research Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
| | - Nelson C Soares
- Center for Applied and Translational Genomics (CATG), Mohammed Bin Rashid university of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, 0000, United Arab Emirates
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av Padre Cruz, Lisbon, 1649-016, Portugal
| | - Adel B Elmoselhi
- Research Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE.
- Basic Medical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates.
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3
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Hauserman MR, Sullivan LE, James KL, Ferraro MJ, Rice KC. Response of Staphylococcus aureus physiology and Agr quorum sensing to low-shear modeled microgravity. J Bacteriol 2024:e0027224. [PMID: 39120147 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00272-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is commonly isolated from astronauts returning from spaceflight. Previous analysis of omics data from S. aureus low Earth orbit cultures indicated significantly increased expression of the Agr quorum sensing system and its downstream targets in spaceflight samples compared to ground controls. In this current study, the rotary cell culture system (RCCS) was used to investigate the effect of low-shear modeled microgravity (LSMMG) on S. aureus physiology and Agr activity. When cultured in the same growth medium and temperature as the previous spaceflight experiment, S. aureus LSMMG cultures exhibited decreased agr expression and altered growth compared to normal gravity control cultures, which are typically oriented with oxygenation membrane on the bottom of the high aspect rotating vessel (HARV). When S. aureus was grown in an inverted gravity control orientation (oxygenation membrane on top of the HARV), reduced Agr activity was observed relative to both traditional control and LSMMG cultures, signifying that oxygen availability may affect the observed differences in Agr activity. Metabolite assays revealed increased lactate and decreased acetate excretion in both LSMMG and inverted control cultures. Secretomics analysis of LSMMG, control, and inverted control HARV culture supernatants corroborated these results, with inverted and LSMMG cultures exhibiting a decreased abundance of Agr-regulated virulence factors and an increased abundance of proteins expressed in low-oxygen conditions. Collectively, these studies suggest that the orientation of the HARV oxygenation membrane can affect S. aureus physiology and Agr quorum sensing in the RCCS, a variable that should be considered when interpreting data using this ground-based microgravity model.IMPORTANCES. aureus is commonly isolated from astronauts returning from spaceflight and from surfaces within human-inhabited closed environments such as spacecraft. Astronaut health and immune function are significantly altered in spaceflight. Therefore, elucidating the effects of microgravity on S. aureus physiology is critical for assessing its pathogenic potential during long-term human space habitation. These results also highlight the necessity of eliminating potential confounding factors when comparing simulated microgravity model data with actual spaceflight experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Hauserman
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Leia E Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Kimberly L James
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida, USA
| | - Mariola J Ferraro
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Kelly C Rice
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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4
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Sun Y, Su X, Zhao L, Sun T, Liu W. Carbon metabolism of a novel isolate from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Probio-M9 derived through space mutant. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae205. [PMID: 39152088 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Carbon source is a necessary nutrient for bacterial strain growth. In industrial production, the cost of using different carbon sources varies greatly. Moreover, the complex environment in space may cause metabolic a series of changes in the strain, and this method has been successfully applied in some basic research. To date, space mutagenesis is still limited number of studies, particularly in carbon metabolism of probiotics. METHODS AND RESULTS HG-R7970-41 was isolated from bacterium suspension (Probio-M9) after space flight, which can produce capsular polysaccharide after space mutagenesis. Phenotype Microarray (PM) was used to evaluated the metabolism of HG-R7970-41 in 190 single carbon sources. RNA sequencing and total protein identification of two strains revealed their different carbon metabolism mechanisms. PM results demonstrated the metabolism of 10 carbon sources were different between Probio-M9 and HG-R7970-41. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that this change in carbon metabolism of HG-R7970-41 mainly related to changes in phosphorylation and the glycolysis pathway. Based on the metabolic mechanism of different carbon sources and related gene cluster analysis, we found that the final metabolic activities of HG-R7970-41 and Probio-M9 were mainly regulated by PTS-specific membrane embedded permease, carbohydrate kinase and two rate-limiting enzymes (phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase) in the glycolysis pathway. The expanded culture test also confirmed that HG-R7970-41 had different metabolic characteristics from original strain. CONCLUSIONS These results suggested that space environment could change carbon metabolism of Probio-M9. The new isolate (HG-R7970-41) showed a different carbon metabolism pattern from the original strain mainly by the regulation of two rate-limiting enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Sun
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010018, China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Wuhan Business University, Wuhan, Hubei province, 430056, China
| | - Xin Su
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010018, China
| | - Lixia Zhao
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010018, China
| | - Tiansong Sun
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010018, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010018, China
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Rouillard A, Escot Bocanegra P, Stancampiano A, Dozias S, Lemaire J, Pouvesle JM, Robert E, Brulé-Morabito F, Demasure M, Rouquette S. Demonstration for cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet operation and antibacterial action in microgravity. NPJ Microgravity 2024; 10:74. [PMID: 38969640 PMCID: PMC11226633 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00408-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (ionized gas) is an innovative medical tool for the treatment of infected wounds thanks to its potential to inactivate drug-resistant microorganisms and promote tissue regeneration and vascularization. The low power consumption, compactness, and versatility of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAPP) devices make them an ideal tool for risk mitigation associated with human spaceflights. This work presents results in microgravity on the operability of CAPP and its antimicrobial effect. The experiments carried out in parabolic flights make it possible to optimize the treatment conditions (i.e., the distance, the gas mixture) and to obtain the rapid inactivation (<15 s) of Escherichia coli samples. Interestingly, the inactivation efficiency of CAPP was higher during parabolic flights than under terrestrial conditions. Overall, these results encourage the further development of CAPP medical devices for its implementation during human spaceflights.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rouillard
- GREMI, CNRS/Université d'Orléans-UMR7344, Orléans, France.
| | | | - A Stancampiano
- GREMI, CNRS/Université d'Orléans-UMR7344, Orléans, France
| | - S Dozias
- GREMI, CNRS/Université d'Orléans-UMR7344, Orléans, France
| | - J Lemaire
- GREMI, CNRS/Université d'Orléans-UMR7344, Orléans, France
| | - J M Pouvesle
- GREMI, CNRS/Université d'Orléans-UMR7344, Orléans, France
| | - E Robert
- GREMI, CNRS/Université d'Orléans-UMR7344, Orléans, France
| | | | - M Demasure
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - S Rouquette
- Centre National d'Études Spatiales, Paris, France
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Caro-Astorga J, Meyerowitz JT, Stork DA, Nattermann U, Piszkiewicz S, Vimercati L, Schwendner P, Hocher A, Cockell C, DeBenedictis E. Polyextremophile engineering: a review of organisms that push the limits of life. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1341701. [PMID: 38903795 PMCID: PMC11188471 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1341701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Nature exhibits an enormous diversity of organisms that thrive in extreme environments. From snow algae that reproduce at sub-zero temperatures to radiotrophic fungi that thrive in nuclear radiation at Chernobyl, extreme organisms raise many questions about the limits of life. Is there any environment where life could not "find a way"? Although many individual extremophilic organisms have been identified and studied, there remain outstanding questions about the limits of life and the extent to which extreme properties can be enhanced, combined or transferred to new organisms. In this review, we compile the current knowledge on the bioengineering of extremophile microbes. We summarize what is known about the basic mechanisms of extreme adaptations, compile synthetic biology's efforts to engineer extremophile organisms beyond what is found in nature, and highlight which adaptations can be combined. The basic science of extremophiles can be applied to engineered organisms tailored to specific biomanufacturing needs, such as growth in high temperatures or in the presence of unusual solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Devon A. Stork
- Pioneer Research Laboratories, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Una Nattermann
- Pioneer Research Laboratories, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Lara Vimercati
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | | | - Antoine Hocher
- London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Cockell
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Erika DeBenedictis
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Pioneer Research Laboratories, San Francisco, CA, United States
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7
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Kaur J, Kaur J, Nigam A. Extremophiles in Space Exploration. Indian J Microbiol 2024; 64:418-428. [PMID: 39010991 PMCID: PMC11246395 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-024-01297-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In the era of deep space exploration, extremophile research represents a key area of research w.r.t space survival. This review thus delves into the intriguing realm of 'Space and Astro Microbiology', providing insights into microbial survival, resilience, and behavioral adaptations in space-like environments. This discussion encompasses the modified behavior of extremophilic microorganisms, influencing virulence, stress resistance, and gene expression. It then shifts to recent studies on the International Space Station and simulated microgravity, revealing microbial responses that impact drug susceptibility, antibiotic resistance, and its commercial implications. The review then transitions into Astro microbiology, exploring the possibilities of interplanetary transit, lithopanspermia, and terraforming. Debates on life's origin and recent Martian meteorite discoveries are noted. We also discuss Proactive Inoculation Protocols for selecting adaptable microorganisms as terraforming pioneers. The discussion concludes with a note on microbes' role as bioengineers in bioregenerative life support systems, in recycling organic waste for sustainable space travel; and in promoting optimal plant growth to prepare Martian and lunar basalt. This piece emphasizes the transformative impact of microbes on the future of space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasvinder Kaur
- Gargi College, University of Delhi, Siri Fort Road, New Delhi, 110 049 India
| | - Jaspreet Kaur
- Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110 021 India
| | - Aeshna Nigam
- Shivaji College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110 027 India
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8
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Nastasi N, Haines SR, Bope A, Meyer ME, Horack JM, Dannemiller KC. Fungal diversity differences in the indoor dust microbiome from built environments on earth and in space. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11858. [PMID: 38789478 PMCID: PMC11126634 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62191-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Human occupied built environments are no longer confined to Earth. In fact, there have been humans living and working in low-Earth orbit on the International Space Station (ISS) since November 2000. With NASA's Artemis missions and the age of commercial space stations set to begin, more human-occupied spacecraft than ever will be in Earth's orbit and beyond. On Earth and in the ISS, microbes, especially fungi, can be found in dust and grow when unexpected, elevated moisture conditions occur. However, we do not yet know how indoor microbiomes in Earth-based homes and in the ISS differ due to their unique set of environmental conditions. Here we show that bacterial and fungal communities are different in dust collected from vacuum bags on Earth and the ISS, with Earth-based homes being more diverse (465 fungal OTUs and 237 bacterial ASVs) compared to the ISS (102 fungal OTUs and 102 bacterial ASVs). When dust from these locations were exposed to varying equilibrium relative humidity conditions (ERH), there were also significant fungal community composition changes as ERH and time elevated increased (Bray Curtis: R2 = 0.35, P = 0.001). These findings can inform future spacecraft design to promote healthy indoor microbiomes that support crew health, spacecraft integrity, and planetary protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Nastasi
- Environmental Science Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Environmental Health Sciences, The Ohio State University, 470 Hitchcock Hall, 2050 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Sarah R Haines
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ashleigh Bope
- Environmental Science Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Environmental Health Sciences, The Ohio State University, 470 Hitchcock Hall, 2050 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Marit E Meyer
- NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, 44135, USA
| | - John M Horack
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering and John Glenn College of Public Affairs, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Karen C Dannemiller
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Environmental Health Sciences, The Ohio State University, 470 Hitchcock Hall, 2050 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
- Sustainability Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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9
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Salavatifar M, Khosravi‐Darani K. Investigation of the simulated microgravity impact on heavy metal biosorption by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Food Sci Nutr 2024; 12:3642-3652. [PMID: 38726446 PMCID: PMC11077246 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Heavy metals are one of the most dangerous environmental pollutions, and their elimination is one of the health system's priorities. Microorganisms have been introduced as a safe absorber of such pollution and this ability is related to the characteristics of their surface layers. There are reports about some bacteria's increment of cell envelope thickness in space conditions. Therefore, this study investigated SMG effect on heavy metals biosorption using Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae. Furthermore, the stability of complex, isotherm, and kinetic absorption models has been investigated. The results showed that the SMG positively affected the biosorption of mercury (Hg) 97% and lead (Pb) 72.5% by S. cerevisiae. In contrast, it did not affect cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) biosorption. In gastrointestinal conditions, Hg, Cd, and As-yeast complexes were stable, and their biosorption increased. In the case of the Pb-yeast complex, in simulated gastric exposure, the binding decreased at first but increased again in simulated intestinal exposure in both SMG and normal gravity (NG). The metals' biosorption by yeast followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic and the Langmuir isotherm models for all metals (As) matched with Langmuir and Freundlich. The current research results demonstrate that microgravity provides desirable conditions for heavy metal biosorption by S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, the biosorbent-heavy metal complex remains stable after simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Altogether, the results of this study could be considered in detoxifying food and beverage industries and maintaining astronauts' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Salavatifar
- Aerospace Research InstituteMinistry of Science, Research and TechnologyTehranIran
| | - Kianoush Khosravi‐Darani
- Department of Food Technology Research, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research InstituteShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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10
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Willis CRG, Calvaruso M, Angeloni D, Baatout S, Benchoua A, Bereiter-Hahn J, Bottai D, Buchheim JI, Carnero-Diaz E, Castiglioni S, Cavalieri D, Ceccarelli G, Chouker A, Cialdai F, Ciofani G, Coppola G, Cusella G, Degl'Innocenti A, Desaphy JF, Frippiat JP, Gelinsky M, Genchi G, Grano M, Grimm D, Guignandon A, Herranz R, Hellweg C, Iorio CS, Karapantsios T, van Loon J, Lulli M, Maier J, Malda J, Mamaca E, Morbidelli L, Osterman A, Ovsianikov A, Pampaloni F, Pavezlorie E, Pereda-Campos V, Przybyla C, Rettberg P, Rizzo AM, Robson-Brown K, Rossi L, Russo G, Salvetti A, Risaliti C, Santucci D, Sperl M, Tabury K, Tavella S, Thielemann C, Willaert R, Monici M, Szewczyk NJ. How to obtain an integrated picture of the molecular networks involved in adaptation to microgravity in different biological systems? NPJ Microgravity 2024; 10:50. [PMID: 38693246 PMCID: PMC11063135 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00395-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Periodically, the European Space Agency (ESA) updates scientific roadmaps in consultation with the scientific community. The ESA SciSpacE Science Community White Paper (SSCWP) 9, "Biology in Space and Analogue Environments", focusses in 5 main topic areas, aiming to address key community-identified knowledge gaps in Space Biology. Here we present one of the identified topic areas, which is also an unanswered question of life science research in Space: "How to Obtain an Integrated Picture of the Molecular Networks Involved in Adaptation to Microgravity in Different Biological Systems?" The manuscript reports the main gaps of knowledge which have been identified by the community in the above topic area as well as the approach the community indicates to address the gaps not yet bridged. Moreover, the relevance that these research activities might have for the space exploration programs and also for application in industrial and technological fields on Earth is briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig R G Willis
- School of Chemistry and Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Calvaruso
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Cefalù, Italy
| | - Debora Angeloni
- Institute of Biorobotics, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Juergen Bereiter-Hahn
- Institute for Cell and Neurobiol. Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Daniele Bottai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Judith-Irina Buchheim
- Laboratory "Translational Research, Stress & Immunity", LMU University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eugénie Carnero-Diaz
- Institute Systematic, Evolution, Biodiversity, Sorbonne University, NMNH, CNRS, EPHE, UA, Paris, France
| | - Sara Castiglioni
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Ceccarelli
- Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alexander Chouker
- Laboratory "Translational Research, Stress & Immunity", LMU University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Francesca Cialdai
- ASAcampus Joint Laboratory, ASA Res. Div., DSBSC-University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Smart Bio-Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 56025, Pontedera, PI, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Coppola
- Institue of Applied Science and Intelligent Sistems - CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Cusella
- Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Degl'Innocenti
- Smart Bio-Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 56025, Pontedera, PI, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Jean-Francois Desaphy
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Jean-Pol Frippiat
- Stress, Immunity, Pathogens Laboratory, SIMPA, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Michael Gelinsky
- Centre for Translational Bone, Joint & Soft Tissue Research, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Giada Genchi
- Smart Bio-Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 56025, Pontedera, PI, Italy
| | - Maria Grano
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alain Guignandon
- SAINBIOSE, INSERM U1059, Université Jean Monnet, F-42000, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Christine Hellweg
- Radiation Biology Dept., Inst. of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | | | | | - Jack van Loon
- Amsterdam University Medical Center, ACTA/VU, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Matteo Lulli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Jeanette Maier
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Jos Malda
- Department of Orthopaedics, Univ. Med. Center Utrecht & Dept. Clinical Sciences, Utrecht Univ, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Emina Mamaca
- European and International Affairs Dept, Ifremer centre Bretagne, Plouzané, France
| | | | - Andreas Osterman
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Virology, LMU Munich & DZIF, Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Aleksandr Ovsianikov
- 3D Printing and Biofabrication, Inst. Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Francesco Pampaloni
- Buchmann Inst. for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Pavezlorie
- Ludwig Boltzmann Inst. for Traumatology, Res. Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronica Pereda-Campos
- GSBMS/URU EVOLSAN - Medecine Evolutive, Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Cyrille Przybyla
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Palavas les Flots, France
| | - Petra Rettberg
- DLR, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Research Group Astrobiology, Köln, Germany
| | - Angela Maria Rizzo
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Kate Robson-Brown
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, and Dept of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giorgio Russo
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Cefalù, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Risaliti
- ASAcampus Joint Laboratory, ASA Res. Div., DSBSC-University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Santucci
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Ist. Superiore Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Kevin Tabury
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | - Sara Tavella
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino and University of Genoa, DIMES, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Ronnie Willaert
- Research Group NAMI and NANO, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Monica Monici
- ASAcampus Joint Laboratory, ASA Res. Div., DSBSC-University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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11
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Zhu D, Qiao P, Zhou Q, Sun H, Xin B, Wu B, Tang C. Effect of 15 days -6° head-down bed rest on microbial communities of supragingival plaque in young men. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1331023. [PMID: 38328428 PMCID: PMC10849213 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1331023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The microgravity environment astronauts experience during spaceflight can lead to an increased risk of oral diseases and possible changes in oral microecology. In this study, we aimed to assess changes in the microbial community of supragingival plaques to explore the effects of spaceflight microgravity environment on oral microecology. Methods Sixteen healthy male volunteers were recruited, and supragingival plaque samples were collected under -6° head-down bed rest (HDBR) at five-time points: day 1 before HDBR; days 5, 10, and 15 of HDBR; and day 6 of recovery. Bacterial genomic DNA was sequenced using gene sequencing technology with 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid V3-V4 hypervariable region amplification and the obtained data were analyzed bioinformatically. Results Alpha diversity analysis showed a significant increase in species richness in supragingival plaque samples on day 15 of HDBR compared with that at pre-HDBR. Beta diversity analysis revealed that the community composition differed among the groups. Species distribution showed that, compared with those at pre-HDBR, the relative abundances of Corynebacterium and Aggregatibacter increased significantly during HDBR, while those of Veillonella, Streptococcus, and Lautropia decreased significantly. Moreover, compared with those at pre-HDBR, the relative abundance of Leptotrichia increased significantly on day 6 of recovery, whereas the relative abundances of Porphyromonas and Streptococcus decreased significantly. Network analysis showed that the interaction relationship between the dominant genera became simpler during HDBR, and the positive and negative correlations between them showed dynamic changes. Phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states analysis showed that the amino acid metabolism function of plaque microorganisms was more enriched during HDBR. Discussion In summary, in a 15-day simulated microgravity environment, the diversity, species distribution, interaction relationship, and metabolic function of the supragingival plaque microbial community changed, which suggests that microgravity may affect the oral microecosystem by changing the balance of supragingival plaque microbial communities and further leading to the occurrence and development of oral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhu
- 306th Clinical College of PLA, The Fifth Clinical College, Anhui Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Stomatology, PLA Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Pengyan Qiao
- Department of Stomatology, PLA Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Zhou
- Department of Stomatology, PLA Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Sun
- 306th Clinical College of PLA, The Fifth Clinical College, Anhui Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Stomatology, PLA Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Bingmu Xin
- Engineering Research Center of Human Circadian Rhythm and Sleep, Space Science and Technology Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bin Wu
- China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Chuhua Tang
- 306th Clinical College of PLA, The Fifth Clinical College, Anhui Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Stomatology, PLA Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Beijing, China
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12
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Verbeelen T, Fernandez CA, Nguyen TH, Gupta S, Aarts R, Tabury K, Leroy B, Wattiez R, Vlaeminck SE, Leys N, Ganigué R, Mastroleo F. Whole transcriptome analysis highlights nutrient limitation of nitrogen cycle bacteria in simulated microgravity. NPJ Microgravity 2024; 10:3. [PMID: 38200027 PMCID: PMC10781756 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00345-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Regenerative life support systems (RLSS) will play a vital role in achieving self-sufficiency during long-distance space travel. Urine conversion into a liquid nitrate-based fertilizer is a key process in most RLSS. This study describes the effects of simulated microgravity (SMG) on Comamonas testosteroni, Nitrosomonas europaea, Nitrobacter winogradskyi and a tripartite culture of the three, in the context of nitrogen recovery for the Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA). Rotary cell culture systems (RCCS) and random positioning machines (RPM) were used as SMG analogues. The transcriptional responses of the cultures were elucidated. For CO2-producing C. testosteroni and the tripartite culture, a PermaLifeTM PL-70 cell culture bag mounted on an in-house 3D-printed holder was applied to eliminate air bubble formation during SMG cultivation. Gene expression changes indicated that the fluid dynamics in SMG caused nutrient and O2 limitation. Genes involved in urea hydrolysis and nitrification were minimally affected, while denitrification-related gene expression was increased. The findings highlight potential challenges for nitrogen recovery in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Verbeelen
- Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Celia Alvarez Fernandez
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thanh Huy Nguyen
- Department of Proteomics and Microbiology, University of Mons, Av. Du Champs de Mars 6, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Surya Gupta
- Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Raf Aarts
- Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Kevin Tabury
- Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Baptiste Leroy
- Department of Proteomics and Microbiology, University of Mons, Av. Du Champs de Mars 6, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Ruddy Wattiez
- Department of Proteomics and Microbiology, University of Mons, Av. Du Champs de Mars 6, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Siegfried E Vlaeminck
- Research Group of Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
- Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban REsource Recovery (CAPTURE), Frieda Saeysstraat 1, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Ramon Ganigué
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban REsource Recovery (CAPTURE), Frieda Saeysstraat 1, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Felice Mastroleo
- Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium.
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13
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Sharma G, Zee PC, Zea L, Curtis PD. Whole genome-scale assessment of gene fitness of Novosphingobium aromaticavorans during spaceflight. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:782. [PMID: 38102595 PMCID: PMC10725011 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09799-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In microgravity, bacteria undergo intriguing physiological adaptations. There have been few attempts to assess global bacterial physiological responses to microgravity, with most studies only focusing on a handful of individual systems. This study assessed the fitness of each gene in the genome of the aromatic compound-degrading Alphaproteobacterium Novosphingobium aromaticavorans during growth in spaceflight. This was accomplished using Comparative TnSeq, which involves culturing the same saturating transposon mutagenized library under two different conditions. To assess gene fitness, a novel comparative TnSeq analytical tool was developed, named TnDivA, that is particularly useful in leveraging biological replicates. In this approach, transposon diversity is represented numerically using a modified Shannon diversity index, which was then converted into effective transposon density. This transformation accounts for variability in read distribution between samples, such as cases where reads were dominated by only a few transposon inserts. Effective density values were analyzed using multiple statistical methods, including log2-fold change, least-squares regression analysis, and Welch's t-test. The results obtained across applied statistical methods show a difference in the number of significant genes identified. However, the functional categories of genes important to growth in microgravity showed similar patterns. Lipid metabolism and transport, energy production, transcription, translation, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis and transport were shown to have high fitness during spaceflight. This suggests that core metabolic processes, including lipid and secondary metabolism, play an important role adapting to stress and promoting growth in microgravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayatri Sharma
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, 402 Shoemaker Hall, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Peter C Zee
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, 402 Shoemaker Hall, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Luis Zea
- Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Patrick D Curtis
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, 402 Shoemaker Hall, University, MS, 38677, USA.
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Ren Z, Harriot AD, Mair DB, Chung MK, Lee PHU, Kim DH. Biomanufacturing of 3D Tissue Constructs in Microgravity and their Applications in Human Pathophysiological Studies. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300157. [PMID: 37483106 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The growing interest in bioengineering in-vivo-like 3D functional tissues has led to novel approaches to the biomanufacturing process as well as expanded applications for these unique tissue constructs. Microgravity, as seen in spaceflight, is a unique environment that may be beneficial to the tissue-engineering process but cannot be completely replicated on Earth. Additionally, the expense and practical challenges of conducting human and animal research in space make bioengineered microphysiological systems an attractive research model. In this review, published research that exploits real and simulated microgravity to improve the biomanufacturing of a wide range of tissue types as well as those studies that use microphysiological systems, such as organ/tissue chips and multicellular organoids, for modeling human diseases in space are summarized. This review discusses real and simulated microgravity platforms and applications in tissue-engineered microphysiological systems across three topics: 1) application of microgravity to improve the biomanufacturing of tissue constructs, 2) use of tissue constructs fabricated in microgravity as models for human diseases on Earth, and 3) investigating the effects of microgravity on human tissues using biofabricated in vitro models. These current achievements represent important progress in understanding the physiological effects of microgravity and exploiting their advantages for tissue biomanufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanping Ren
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Anicca D Harriot
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Devin B Mair
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | | | - Peter H U Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Southcoast Health, Fall River, MA, 02720, USA
| | - Deok-Ho Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Center for Microphysiological Systems, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 21218, USA
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15
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Altaie S, Alrawi A, Xuexin D. A novel model of gravity challenge device. Biomed Signal Process Control 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2023.104911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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16
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Averesch NJH, Berliner AJ, Nangle SN, Zezulka S, Vengerova GL, Ho D, Casale CA, Lehner BAE, Snyder JE, Clark KB, Dartnell LR, Criddle CS, Arkin AP. Microbial biomanufacturing for space-exploration-what to take and when to make. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2311. [PMID: 37085475 PMCID: PMC10121718 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37910-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
As renewed interest in human space-exploration intensifies, a coherent and modernized strategy for mission design and planning has become increasingly crucial. Biotechnology has emerged as a promising approach to increase resilience, flexibility, and efficiency of missions, by virtue of its ability to effectively utilize in situ resources and reclaim resources from waste streams. Here we outline four primary mission-classes on Moon and Mars that drive a staged and accretive biomanufacturing strategy. Each class requires a unique approach to integrate biomanufacturing into the existing mission-architecture and so faces unique challenges in technology development. These challenges stem directly from the resources available in a given mission-class-the degree to which feedstocks are derived from cargo and in situ resources-and the degree to which loop-closure is necessary. As mission duration and distance from Earth increase, the benefits of specialized, sustainable biomanufacturing processes also increase. Consequentially, we define specific design-scenarios and quantify the usefulness of in-space biomanufacturing, to guide techno-economics of space-missions. Especially materials emerged as a potentially pivotal target for biomanufacturing with large impact on up-mass cost. Subsequently, we outline the processes needed for development, testing, and deployment of requisite technologies. As space-related technology development often does, these advancements are likely to have profound implications for the creation of a resilient circular bioeconomy on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils J H Averesch
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Aaron J Berliner
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Shannon N Nangle
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
- Circe Bioscience Inc., Somerville, MA, USA.
| | - Spencer Zezulka
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- School of Information, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Gretchen L Vengerova
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Davian Ho
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Cameran A Casale
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin A E Lehner
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, South Holland, Netherlands
| | | | - Kevin B Clark
- Cures Within Reach, Chicago, IL, USA
- Champions Program, eXtreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE), Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Lewis R Dartnell
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | - Craig S Criddle
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Adam P Arkin
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
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17
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Grushina TI. [Potential use of thermoneutral «dry immersion» in oncological rehabilitation]. VOPROSY KURORTOLOGII, FIZIOTERAPII, I LECHEBNOI FIZICHESKOI KULTURY 2023; 100:62-68. [PMID: 37735797 DOI: 10.17116/kurort202310004162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To conduct an analytical review of the available literature data on thermoneutral «dry immersion» (TSI) - a method that simulates the state of weightlessness/microgravity. MATERIAL AND METHODS The review included data from electronic databases: Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, Wiley, World Health Organization, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ScienceDirect, PubMed, elibrary, CyberLeninka, disserCat. RESULTS The extensive database of in vitro studies contains information on the reduction of cell proliferation, invasion, migration and increased apoptosis of thyroid, breast, lung, stomach, colon cancer cells, Hodgkin's lymphoma, glioblastoma, leukemia, melanoma, osteosarcoma of a human under the influence of microgravity. The vast majority of works are devoted to experiments on healthy people to finding out the mechanisms of action of long-term continuous microgravity. The study of the therapeutic effect of TSI as a physiotherapeutic procedure of one or repeated sessions was carried out by individual authors. Positive results of a short stay in the unsupported model were obtained in the treatment of children with perinatal disorders, cerebral palsy, patients with hypertension in a state of hypertensive crisis, Parkinson's disease, skin burn II gr. The results of the analytical review provide an opportunity to begin scientific research on the effectiveness and safety of thermoneutral «dry immersion» in the complex rehabilitation of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- T I Grushina
- Moscow Research and Practical Centre of Medical Rehabilitation, Restorative and Sports Medicine, Moscow, Russia
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18
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Afsharian Z, Salavatifar M, Khosravi_Darani K. Impact of simulated microgravity on bioremoval of heavy-metals by Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 from water. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12307. [PMID: 36578411 PMCID: PMC9791880 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There are several reports about the effect of gravity removal on some characteristics of microorganisms due to possible change in surface layer thickness and adherence properties. In this study, bioremoval efficiency of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 from water under simulated microgravity conditions was investigated. Furthermore, pretreatment effects (untreated, NaOH, and heat pretreated) of L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 on heavy metal removal was evaluated on microgravity, as our previous research showed impact of pretreatment on adherence properties of probiotics to environmental metals. The results showed that ability of L. acidophilus for arsenic adsorption enhanced following heat-pretreatment in simulated and normal gravity. Moreover, in both conditions of simulated microgravity and normal gravity NaOH-treated L. acidophilus increased the removal of cadmium and lead. In none of the conditions, pretreatment of lactobacillus affects mercury removal. Evaluation of stability of binding of L. acidophilus-heavy metal was investigated to check irreversibility of complex formation between microorganisms and metals in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Data showed release of heavy metals from complex in normal gravity. Obtained results of this research show the favorable potential of simulated microgravity condition to increase bioremoval capacity of L. acidophilus for heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Afsharian
- Department of Food Science and Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Science and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Salavatifar
- Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kianoush Khosravi_Darani
- Research Department of Food Technology Research, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 19395-4741, Tehran, Iran
- Corresponding author.,
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19
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Baba AI, Mir MY, Riyazuddin R, Cséplő Á, Rigó G, Fehér A. Plants in Microgravity: Molecular and Technological Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:10548. [PMID: 36142459 PMCID: PMC9505700 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants are vital components of our ecosystem for a balanced life here on Earth, as a source of both food and oxygen for survival. Recent space exploration has extended the field of plant biology, allowing for future studies on life support farming on distant planets. This exploration will utilize life support technologies for long-term human space flights and settlements. Such longer space missions will depend on the supply of clean air, food, and proper waste management. The ubiquitous force of gravity is known to impact plant growth and development. Despite this, we still have limited knowledge about how plants can sense and adapt to microgravity in space. Thus, the ability of plants to survive in microgravity in space settings becomes an intriguing topic to be investigated in detail. The new knowledge could be applied to provide food for astronaut missions to space and could also teach us more about how plants can adapt to unique environments. Here, we briefly review and discuss the current knowledge about plant gravity-sensing mechanisms and the experimental possibilities to research microgravity-effects on plants either on the Earth or in orbit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Imran Baba
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mohd Yaqub Mir
- Doctoral School of Neuroscience, Semmelweis University, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
- Theoretical Neuroscience and Complex Systems Group, Department of Computational Sciences, Wigner Research Centre for Physics, H-1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Riyazuddin Riyazuddin
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
- Biological Research Centre (BRC), Institute of Plant Biology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Cséplő
- Biological Research Centre (BRC), Institute of Plant Biology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Rigó
- Biological Research Centre (BRC), Institute of Plant Biology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila Fehér
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
- Biological Research Centre (BRC), Institute of Plant Biology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
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20
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Spaceflight Changes the Production and Bioactivity of Secondary Metabolites in Beauveria bassiana. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14080555. [PMID: 36006216 PMCID: PMC9416017 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14080555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on microorganism response spaceflight date back to 1960. However, nothing conclusive is known concerning the effects of spaceflight on virulence and environmental tolerance of entomopathogenic fungi; thus, this area of research remains open to further exploration. In this study, the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (strain SB010) was exposed to spaceflight (ChangZheng 5 space shuttle during 5 May 2020 to 8 May 2020) as a part of the Key Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province, China, in collaboration with the China Space Program. The study revealed significant differences between the secondary metabolite profiles of the wild isolate (SB010) and the spaceflight-exposed isolate (BHT021, BH030, BHT098) of B. bassiana. Some of the secondary metabolites/toxins, including enniatin A2, brevianamide F, macrosporin, aphidicolin, and diacetoxyscirpenol, were only produced by the spaceflight-exposed isolate (BHT021, BHT030). The study revealed increased insecticidal activities for of crude protein extracts of B. bassiana spaceflight mutants (BHT021 and BH030, respectively) against Megalurothrips usitatus 5 days post application when compared crude protein extracts of the wild isolate (SB010). The data obtained support the idea of using space mutation as a tool for development/screening of fungal strains producing higher quantities of secondary metabolites, ultimately leading to increased toxicity/virulence against the target insect host.
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21
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Passive limitation of surface contamination by perFluoroDecylTrichloroSilane coatings in the ISS during the MATISS experiments. NPJ Microgravity 2022; 8:31. [PMID: 35927552 PMCID: PMC9352769 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-022-00218-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Future long-duration human spaceflight will require developments to limit biocontamination of surface habitats. The MATISS (Microbial Aerosol Tethering on Innovative Surfaces in the international Space Station) experiments allowed for exposing surface treatments in the ISS (International Space Station) using a sample-holder developed to this end. Three campaigns of FDTS (perFluoroDecylTrichloroSilane) surface exposures were performed over monthly durations during distinct periods. Tile scanning optical microscopy (×3 and ×30 magnifications) showed a relatively clean environment with a few particles on the surface (0.8 to 7 particles per mm2). The varied densities and shapes in the coarse area fraction (50-1500 µm2) indicated different sources of contamination in the long term, while the bacteriomorph shapes of the fine area fraction (0.5-15 µm2) were consistent with microbial contamination. The surface contamination rates correlate to astronauts' occupancy rates on board. Asymmetric particles density profiles formed throughout time along the air-flow. The higher density values were located near the flow entry for the coarse particles, while the opposite was the case for the fine particles, probably indicating the hydrophobic interaction of particles with the FDTS surface.
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22
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Cordero RJB, Dragotakes Q, Friello PJ, Casadevall A. Melanin protects Cryptococcus neoformans from spaceflight effects. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2022; 14:679-685. [PMID: 35852045 PMCID: PMC9326845 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
As human activity in space continues to increase, understanding how biological assets respond to spaceflight conditions is becoming more important. Spaceflight conditions include exposure to ionizing radiation, microgravity, spacecraft vibrations and hypervelocity; all of which can affect the viability of biological organisms. Previous studies have shown that melanin-producing fungi are capable of surviving the vacuum of space and Mars-simulated conditions in Low Earth Orbit. This survival has been associated in part with the protective effects of melanin, but a comparison of fungal viability in the presence or absence of melanin following spaceflight has never been tested. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of melanin by comparing the viability of melanized and non-melanized clones of Cryptococcus neoformans yeasts following a roundtrip to the International Space Station. Yeast colonies were placed inside two MixStix silicone tubes; one stayed on Earth and the other was transported inside for 29 days before returning to Earth. Post-flight analysis based on colony-forming unit numbers shows that melanized yeast viability was 50% higher than non-melanized yeasts, while no difference was observed between the Earth-bound control samples. The results suggest that fungal melanin could increase the lifespan of biological assets in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radames J. B. Cordero
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology DepartmentJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Quigly Dragotakes
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology DepartmentJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | | | - Arturo Casadevall
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology DepartmentJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMD21205USA
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23
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Han Y, Shao D, Han C, Huang Q, Zhao W. Response of human gut microbiota under simulated microgravity. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:5221-5231. [PMID: 35796811 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12045-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the influence of microgravity on human gut microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing in vitro. The diamagnetic material magnetic levitation method was used to simulate weightless environment. The human gut microbiota was cultured under two different conditions: normal gravity (1 g), and simulated microgravity (0 g), which showed that both the richness (P = 0.04) and diversity (P = 0.0002) of human gut microbiota were significantly altered. As compared to the normal gravity, the simulated microgravity significantly reduced abundance of bacteria related to anti-inflammatory effects, such as Subdoligranulum, Faecalibacterium, Fusicatenibacter, Butyricicoccus, and Lachnospiraceae-NK4A136-0 group (P < 0.05), while significantly increased that of Alistipes and Eubacterium-Ventriosum-group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the Spearman's correlation analysis showed that there were more significantly correlated species (|r|≥ 0.5, P < 0.05) in normal gravity than that in the simulated microgravity. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the microgravity significantly (P < 0.05) affected the metabolism of gut microbiota, such as the metabolism of pyrimidine, fatty acids, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate, peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms. These results suggested that the exposure to a microgravity environment might induce disturbances in human gut microbiota. KEY POINTS: • Using 16sRNA gene sequencing technology, it was found that magnetic levitation-simulated microgravity had varying degrees of influence on the abundance, diversity, species correlation, and KEGG pathways of human intestinal microbes. • Digital PCR can improve the detection rate of microorganisms with low abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijuan Han
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dongyan Shao
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Cuicui Han
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qingsheng Huang
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Wen Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China.
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24
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Sharma G, Curtis PD. The Impacts of Microgravity on Bacterial Metabolism. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:774. [PMID: 35743807 PMCID: PMC9225508 DOI: 10.3390/life12060774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The inside of a space-faring vehicle provides a set of conditions unlike anything experienced by bacteria on Earth. The low-shear, diffusion-limited microenvironment with accompanying high levels of ionizing radiation create high stress in bacterial cells, and results in many physiological adaptations. This review gives an overview of the effect spaceflight in general, and real or simulated microgravity in particular, has on primary and secondary metabolism. Some broad trends in primary metabolic responses can be identified. These include increases in carbohydrate metabolism, changes in carbon substrate utilization range, and changes in amino acid metabolism that reflect increased oxidative stress. However, another important trend is that there is no universal bacterial response to microgravity, as different bacteria often have contradictory responses to the same stress. This is exemplified in many of the observed secondary metabolite responses where secondary metabolites may have increased, decreased, or unchanged production in microgravity. Different secondary metabolites in the same organism can even show drastically different production responses. Microgravity can also impact the production profile and localization of secondary metabolites. The inconsistency of bacterial responses to real or simulated microgravity underscores the importance of further research in this area to better understand how microbes can impact the people and systems aboard spacecraft.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick D. Curtis
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA;
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25
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An R, Lee JA. CAMDLES: CFD-DEM Simulation of Microbial Communities in Spaceflight and Artificial Microgravity. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050660. [PMID: 35629329 PMCID: PMC9144607 DOI: 10.3390/life12050660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
We present CAMDLES (CFD-DEM Artificial Microgravity Developments for Living Ecosystem Simulation), an extension of CFDEM®Coupling to model biological flows, growth, and mass transfer in artificial microgravity devices. For microbes that accompany humans into space, microgravity-induced alterations in the fluid environment are likely to be a major factor in the microbial experience of spaceflight. Computational modeling is needed to investigate how well ground-based microgravity simulation methods replicate that experience. CAMDLES incorporates agent-based modeling to study inter-species metabolite transport within microbial communities in rotating wall vessel bioreactors (RWVs). Preexisting CFD modeling of RWVs has not yet incorporated growth; CAMDLES employs the simultaneous modeling of biological, chemical, and mechanical processes in a micro-scale rotating reference frame environment. Simulation mass transfer calculations were correlated with Monod dynamic parameters to predict relative growth rates between artificial microgravity, spaceflight microgravity, and 1 g conditions. By simulating a microbial model community of metabolically cooperative strains of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, we found that the greatest difference between microgravity and an RWV or 1 g gravity was when species colocalized in dense aggregates. We also investigated the influence of other features of the system on growth, such as spatial distribution, product yields, and diffusivity. Our simulation provides a basis for future laboratory experiments using this community for investigation in artificial microgravity and spaceflight microgravity. More broadly, our development of these models creates a framework for novel hypothesis generation and design of biological experiments with RWVs, coupling the effects of RWV size, rotation rate, and mass transport directly to bacterial growth in microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocky An
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
- Correspondence: (R.A.); (J.A.L.)
| | - Jessica Audrey Lee
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Correspondence: (R.A.); (J.A.L.)
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26
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Mettler MK, Parker CW, Venkateswaran K, Peyton BM. Antimicrobial Coating Efficacy for Prevention of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Growth on ISS Water System Materials. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:874236. [PMID: 35464913 PMCID: PMC9022025 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.874236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms can lead to biofouling, microbially induced corrosion, physical impediment and eventual loss in function of water systems, and other engineered systems. The remoteness and closed environment of the International Space Station (ISS) make it vulnerable to unchecked biofilm growth; thus, biofilm mitigation strategies are crucial for current ISS operation and future long duration and deep-space crewed missions. In this study, a space flown bacterial strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA14) was used as a model organism for its ability to form biofilms. Additionally, a novel antimicrobial coating’s ability to reduce biofilm accumulation on stainless steel, Teflon, titanium, and Inconel (all used in the ISS water treatment and handling systems) was analyzed. Coated materials demonstrated reductions of P. aeruginosa biofilm across all materials when tested in a continuous flow system with tryptic soy broth medium. However, the coating lost efficacy in potato dextrose broth medium. These findings were corroborated via scanning electron microscopy. This study illustrates the fundamental importance of using multiple approaches to test antibiofilm strategies, as well as the specificity in which conditions such strategies can be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelyn K Mettler
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Ceth W Parker
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Brent M Peyton
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
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27
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Kuehnast T, Abbott C, Pausan MR, Pearce DA, Moissl-Eichinger C, Mahnert A. The crewed journey to Mars and its implications for the human microbiome. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:26. [PMID: 35125119 PMCID: PMC8818331 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01222-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
A human spaceflight to Mars is scheduled for the next decade. In preparation for this unmatched endeavor, a plethora of challenges must be faced prior to the actual journey to Mars. Mission success will depend on the health of its crew and its working capacity. Hence, the journey to Mars will also depend on the microbiome and its far-reaching effects on individual crew health, the spaceship's integrity, and food supply. As human beings rely on their microbiome, these microbes are essential and should be managed to ensure their beneficial effects outweigh potential risks. In this commentary, we focus on the current state of knowledge regarding a healthy (gut) microbiome of space travelers based on research from the International Space Station and simulation experiments on Earth. We further indicate essential knowledge gaps of microbial conditions during long-term space missions in isolated confined space habitats or outposts and give detailed recommendations for microbial monitoring during pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight. Finally, the conclusion outlines open questions and aspects of space traveler's health beyond the scope of this commentary. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Kuehnast
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Carmel Abbott
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University at Newcastle, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Manuela R Pausan
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - David A Pearce
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University at Newcastle, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed, Graz, Austria
| | - Alexander Mahnert
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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28
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Santomartino R, Zea L, Cockell CS. The smallest space miners: principles of space biomining. Extremophiles 2022; 26:7. [PMID: 34993644 PMCID: PMC8739323 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-021-01253-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
As we aim to expand human presence in space, we need to find viable approaches to achieve independence from terrestrial resources. Space biomining of the Moon, Mars and asteroids has been indicated as one of the promising approaches to achieve in-situ resource utilization by the main space agencies. Structural and expensive metals, essential mineral nutrients, water, oxygen and volatiles could be potentially extracted from extraterrestrial regolith and rocks using microbial-based biotechnologies. The use of bioleaching microorganisms could also be applied to space bioremediation, recycling of waste and to reinforce regenerative life support systems. However, the science around space biomining is still young. Relevant differences between terrestrial and extraterrestrial conditions exist, including the rock types and ores available for mining, and a direct application of established terrestrial biomining techniques may not be a possibility. It is, therefore, necessary to invest in terrestrial and space-based research of specific methods for space applications to learn the effects of space conditions on biomining and bioremediation, expand our knowledge on organotrophic and community-based bioleaching mechanisms, as well as on anaerobic biomining, and investigate the use of synthetic biology to overcome limitations posed by the space environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Santomartino
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, UK.
| | - Luis Zea
- BioServe Space Technologies, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Charles S Cockell
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, UK
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29
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Cockell CS. Bridging the gap between microbial limits and extremes in space: space microbial biotechnology in the next 15 years. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:29-41. [PMID: 34534397 PMCID: PMC8719799 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The establishment of a permanent human settlement in space is one of humanity's ambitions. To achieve this, microorganisms will be used to carry out many functions such as recycling, food and pharmaceutical production, mining and other processes. However, the physical and chemical extremes in all locations beyond Earth exceed known growth limits of microbial life. Making microbes more tolerant of a greater range of extraterrestrial extremes will not produce organisms that can grow in unmodified extraterrestrial environments since in many of them not even liquid water can exist. However, by narrowing the gap, the engineering demands on bioindustrial processes can be reduced and greater robustness can be incorporated into the biological component. I identify and describe these required microbial biotechnological modifications and speculate on long-term possibilities such as microbial biotechnology on Saturn's moon Titan to support a human presence in the outer Solar System and bioprocessing of asteroids. A challenge for space microbial biotechnology in the coming decades is to narrow the microbial gap by systemically identifying the genes required to do this and incorporating them into microbial systems that can be used to carry out bioindustrial processes of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S. Cockell
- UK Centre for AstrobiologySchool of Physics and AstronomyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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30
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Kaksonen AH, Deng X, Morris C, Khaleque HN, Zea L, Gumulya Y. Potential of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans to Grow on and Bioleach Metals from Mars and Lunar Regolith Simulants under Simulated Microgravity Conditions. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2416. [PMID: 34946018 PMCID: PMC8706024 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The biomining microbes which extract metals from ores that have been applied in mining processes worldwide hold potential for harnessing space resources. Their cell growth and ability to extract metals from extraterrestrial minerals under microgravity environments, however, remains largely unknown. The present study used the model biomining bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans to extract metals from lunar and Martian regolith simulants cultivated in a rotating clinostat with matched controls grown under the influence of terrestrial gravity. Analyses included assessments of final cell count, size, morphology, and soluble metal concentrations. Under Earth gravity, with the addition of Fe3+ and H2/CO2, A. ferrooxidans grew in the presence of regolith simulants to a final cell density comparable to controls without regoliths. The simulated microgravity appeared to enable cells to grow to a higher cell density in the presence of lunar regolith simulants. Clinostat cultures of A. ferrooxidans solubilised higher amounts of Si, Mn and Mg from lunar and Martian regolith simulants than abiotic controls. Electron microscopy observations revealed that microgravity stimulated the biosynthesis of intracellular nanoparticles (most likely magnetite) in anaerobically grown A. ferrooxidans cells. These results suggested that A. ferrooxidans has the potential for metal bioleaching and the production of useful nanoparticles in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna H. Kaksonen
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Land and Water, Floreat 6014, Australia; (A.H.K.); (X.D.); (C.M.); (H.N.K.)
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia
| | - Xiao Deng
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Land and Water, Floreat 6014, Australia; (A.H.K.); (X.D.); (C.M.); (H.N.K.)
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0044, Japan
| | - Christina Morris
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Land and Water, Floreat 6014, Australia; (A.H.K.); (X.D.); (C.M.); (H.N.K.)
| | - Himel Nahreen Khaleque
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Land and Water, Floreat 6014, Australia; (A.H.K.); (X.D.); (C.M.); (H.N.K.)
| | - Luis Zea
- BioServe Space Technologies, Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA;
| | - Yosephine Gumulya
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Land and Water, Floreat 6014, Australia; (A.H.K.); (X.D.); (C.M.); (H.N.K.)
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Woolloongabba 4102, Australia
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31
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Verbeelen T, Leys N, Ganigué R, Mastroleo F. Development of Nitrogen Recycling Strategies for Bioregenerative Life Support Systems in Space. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:700810. [PMID: 34721316 PMCID: PMC8548772 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.700810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
To enable long-distance space travel, the development of a highly efficient and robust system to recover nutrients from waste streams is imperative. The inability of the current physicochemical-based environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) on the ISS to produce food in situ and to recover water and oxygen at high enough efficiencies results in the need for frequent resupply missions from Earth. Therefore, alternative strategies like biologically-based technologies called bioregenerative life support systems (BLSSs) are in development. These systems aim to combine biological and physicochemical processes, which enable in situ water, oxygen, and food production (through the highly efficient recovery of minerals from waste streams). Hence, minimalizing the need for external consumables. One of the BLSS initiatives is the European Space Agency's (ESA) Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA). It has been designed as a five-compartment bioengineered system able to produce fresh food and oxygen and to recycle water. As such, it could sustain the needs of a human crew for long-term space exploration missions. A prerequisite for the self-sufficient nature of MELiSSA is the highly efficient recovery of valuable minerals from waste streams. The produced nutrients can be used as a fertilizer for food production. In this review, we discuss the need to shift from the ECLSS to a BLSS, provide a summary of past and current BLSS programs and their unique approaches to nitrogen recovery and processing of urine waste streams. In addition, compartment III of the MELiSSA loop, which is responsible for nitrogen recovery, is reviewed in-depth. Finally, past, current, and future related ground and space demonstration and the space-related challenges for this technology are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Verbeelen
- Microbiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Microbiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Ramon Ganigué
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban REsource Recovery (CAPTURE), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Felice Mastroleo
- Microbiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
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32
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Thorne S. Modeling the role of gravitation in metabolic processes. Commun Integr Biol 2021; 14:115-135. [PMID: 34349872 PMCID: PMC8293974 DOI: 10.1080/19420889.2021.1914913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
All living organisms are gravitationally bound to earth's surface and spun through three major gravitational potentials at nearly Mach 88. Along this pathway, organisms are subjected to non-isotropic strains that are repetitive in their geometry and their periodicity. Because of the relative smallness of this bias and the slow rate at which such strain accumulates, it typically goes undetected or treated stochastically as a variance from 'best-fit' models and woven into our empirical data. Far from being purely isotropic, equilibrium in systems co-moving with the earth possesses a dynamic component with bias defined by our orbital motion. Interestingly, biologists identify a similar bias in living organisms expressed in the chiral nature of key metabolic molecules and the periodicities of their metabolic cycles. Biologists have also identified a mean mass-specific metabolic rate that correlates well with the daily change in gravitational potential energy experienced by an organism. The evidence is only correlative, but it raises the intriguing question of whether 3 billion years of exposure to gravitational strain cycles might have led to a metabolic strategy that coupled to them. Because the subject of gravity has been omitted from most biology textbooks and, with only a few notable exceptions, relegated to the far corners of biology conferences, this paper is written with two goals in mind. The first goal is to summarize the extensive experimental record produced by biologists, botanists, and zoologists, identifying the strong correlation between metabolic processes and orbital periodicities. The second goal is to suggest experiments that might provide insight into how metabolic processes and gravitation might be so coupled.
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33
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Orlovska I, Podolich O, Kukharenko O, Zaets I, Reva O, Khirunenko L, Zmejkoski D, Rogalsky S, Barh D, Tiwari S, Kumavath R, Góes-Neto A, Azevedo V, Brenig B, Ghosh P, de Vera JP, Kozyrovska N. Bacterial Cellulose Retains Robustness but Its Synthesis Declines After Exposure to a Mars-like Environment Simulated Outside the International Space Station. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:706-717. [PMID: 33646011 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cellulose is a widespread macromolecule in terrestrial environments and a major architectural component of microbial biofilm. Therefore, cellulose might be considered a biosignature that indicates the presence of microbial life. We present, for the first time, characteristics of bacterial cellulose after long-term spaceflight and exposure to simuled Mars-like stressors. The pristine cellulose-based pellicle membranes from a kombucha microbial community (KMC) were exposed outside the International Space Station, and after their return to Earth, the samples were reactivated and cultured for 2.5 years to discern whether the KMC could be restored. Analyses of cellulose polymer integrity and mechanical properties of cellulose-based pellicle films, as well as the cellulose biosynthesis-related genes' structure and expression, were performed. We observed that (i) the cellulose polymer integrity was not significantly changed under Mars-like conditions; (ii) de novo cellulose production was 1.5 times decreased in exposed KMC samples; (iii) the dry cellulose yield from the reisolated Komagataeibacter oboediens was 1.7 times lower than by wild type; (iv) there was no significant change in mechanical properties of the de novo synthesized cellulose-based pellicles produced by the exposed KMCs and K. oboediens; and (v) the gene, encoding biosynthesis of cellulose (bcsA) of the K. oboediens, was downregulated, and no topological change or mutation was observed in any of the bcs operon genes, indicating that the decreased cellulose production by the space-exposed samples was probably due to epigenetic regulation. Our results suggest that the cellulose-based pellicle could be a good material with which to protect microbial communities during space journeys, and the cellulose produced by KMC members could be suitable in the fabrication of consumer goods for extraterrestrial locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna Orlovska
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olga Podolich
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olga Kukharenko
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Iryna Zaets
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Oleg Reva
- Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Danica Zmejkoski
- Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sergiy Rogalsky
- V.P. Kukhar Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry and Petrochemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Debmalya Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, West Bengal, India
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ranjith Kumavath
- Department of Genomic Science, Central University of Kerala Tejaswini Hills, Kerala, India
| | - Aristóteles Góes-Neto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Computacional de Fungos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bertram Brenig
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Preetam Ghosh
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jean-Pierre de Vera
- German Aerospace Center (DLR) Berlin, Institute of Planetary Research, Planetary Laboratories, Astrobiological Laboratories, Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
Microbial research in space is being conducted for almost 50 years now. The closed system of the International Space Station (ISS) has acted as a microbial observatory for the past 10 years, conducting research on adaptation and survivability of microorganisms exposed to space conditions. This adaptation can be either beneficial or detrimental to crew members and spacecraft. Therefore, it becomes crucial to identify the impact of two primary stress conditions, namely, radiation and microgravity, on microbial life aboard the ISS. Elucidating the mechanistic basis of microbial adaptation to space conditions aids in the development of countermeasures against their potentially detrimental effects and allows us to harness their biotechnologically important properties. Several microbial processes have been studied, either in spaceflight or using devices that can simulate space conditions. However, at present, research is limited to only a few microorganisms, and extensive research on biotechnologically important microorganisms is required to make long-term space missions self-sustainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Bijlani
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Elisa Stephens
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Nitin Kumar Singh
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | | | - Clay C C Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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35
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Cockell CS, Santomartino R, Finster K, Waajen AC, Nicholson N, Loudon CM, Eades LJ, Moeller R, Rettberg P, Fuchs FM, Van Houdt R, Leys N, Coninx I, Hatton J, Parmitano L, Krause J, Koehler A, Caplin N, Zuijderduijn L, Mariani A, Pellari S, Carubia F, Luciani G, Balsamo M, Zolesi V, Ochoa J, Sen P, Watt JAJ, Doswald-Winkler J, Herová M, Rattenbacher B, Wadsworth J, Everroad RC, Demets R. Microbially-Enhanced Vanadium Mining and Bioremediation Under Micro- and Mars Gravity on the International Space Station. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:641387. [PMID: 33868198 PMCID: PMC8047202 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.641387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As humans explore and settle in space, they will need to mine elements to support industries such as manufacturing and construction. In preparation for the establishment of permanent human settlements across the Solar System, we conducted the ESA BioRock experiment on board the International Space Station to investigate whether biological mining could be accomplished under extraterrestrial gravity conditions. We tested the hypothesis that the gravity (g) level influenced the efficacy with which biomining could be achieved from basalt, an abundant material on the Moon and Mars, by quantifying bioleaching by three different microorganisms under microgravity, simulated Mars and Earth gravitational conditions. One element of interest in mining is vanadium (V), which is added to steel to fabricate high strength, corrosion-resistant structural materials for buildings, transportation, tools and other applications. The results showed that Sphingomonas desiccabilis and Bacillus subtilis enhanced the leaching of vanadium under the three gravity conditions compared to sterile controls by 184.92 to 283.22%, respectively. Gravity did not have a significant effect on mean leaching, thus showing the potential for biomining on Solar System objects with diverse gravitational conditions. Our results demonstrate the potential to use microorganisms to conduct elemental mining and other bioindustrial processes in space locations with non-1 × g gravity. These same principles apply to extraterrestrial bioremediation and elemental recycling beyond Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S Cockell
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rosa Santomartino
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kai Finster
- Department of Biology - Microbiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Annemiek C Waajen
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Nicholson
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Claire-Marie Loudon
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Lorna J Eades
- School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Köln, Germany
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Köln, Germany
| | - Felix M Fuchs
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Köln, Germany.,Institute of Electrical Engineering and Plasma Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Sciences, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Rob Van Houdt
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | - Ilse Coninx
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jon Ochoa
- ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.,Space Application Services NV/SA, Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Pia Sen
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - James A J Watt
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jeannine Doswald-Winkler
- BIOTESC, Hochschule Luzern Technik & Architektur, Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | - Magdalena Herová
- BIOTESC, Hochschule Luzern Technik & Architektur, Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Rattenbacher
- BIOTESC, Hochschule Luzern Technik & Architektur, Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Wadsworth
- Exobiology Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - R Craig Everroad
- Exobiology Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
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36
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Tesei D, Chiang AJ, Kalkum M, Stajich JE, Mohan GBM, Sterflinger K, Venkateswaran K. Effects of Simulated Microgravity on the Proteome and Secretome of the Polyextremotolerant Black Fungus Knufia chersonesos. Front Genet 2021; 12:638708. [PMID: 33815472 PMCID: PMC8012687 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.638708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Black fungi are a group of melanotic microfungi characterized by remarkable polyextremotolerance. Due to a broad ecological plasticity and adaptations at the cellular level, it is predicted that they may survive in a variety of extreme environments, including harsh niches on Earth and Mars, and in outer space. However, the molecular mechanisms aiding survival, especially in space, are yet to be fully elucidated. Based on these premises, the rock-inhabiting black fungus Knufia chersonesos (Wt) and its non-melanized mutant (Mut) were exposed to simulated microgravity-one of the prevalent features characterizing space conditions-by growing the cultures in high-aspect-ratio vessels (HARVs). Qualitative and quantitative proteomic analyses were performed on the mycelia and supernatant of culture medium (secretome) to assess alterations in cell physiology in response to low-shear simulated microgravity (LSSMG) and to ultimately evaluate the role of cell-wall melanization in stress survival. Differential expression was observed for proteins involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolic processes, transport, and ribosome biogenesis and translation via ribosomal translational machinery. However, no evidence of significant activation of stress components or starvation response was detected, except for the scytalone dehydratase, enzyme involved in the synthesis of dihydroxynaphthalene (DNH) melanin, which was found to be upregulated in the secretome of the wild type and downregulated in the mutant. Differences in protein modulation were observed between K. chersonesos Wt and Mut, with several proteins being downregulated under LSSMG in the Mut when compared to the Wt. Lastly, no major morphological alterations were observed following exposure to LSSMG. Similarly, the strains' survivability was not negatively affected. This study is the first to characterize the response to simulated microgravity in black fungi, which might have implications on future astrobiological missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Tesei
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Abby J. Chiang
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Jason E. Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Ganesh Babu Malli Mohan
- Department of Biotechnology, Centre for Research and Infectious Diseases, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, India
| | - Katja Sterflinger
- Institute for Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
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37
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Góes-Neto A, Kukharenko O, Orlovska I, Podolich O, Imchen M, Kumavath R, Kato RB, de Carvalho DS, Tiwari S, Brenig B, Azevedo V, Reva O, de Vera JPP, Kozyrovska N, Barh D. Shotgun metagenomic analysis of kombucha mutualistic community exposed to Mars-like environment outside the International Space Station. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:3727-3742. [PMID: 33476085 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Kombucha is a multispecies microbial ecosystem mainly composed of acetic acid bacteria and osmophilic acid-tolerant yeasts, which is used to produce a probiotic drink. Furthermore, Kombucha Mutualistic Community (KMC) has been recently proposed to be used during long space missions as both a living functional fermented product to improve astronauts' health and an efficient source of bacterial nanocellulose. In this study, we compared KMC structure and functions before and after samples were exposed to the space/Mars-like environment outside the International Space Station in order to investigate the changes related to their re-adaptation to Earth-like conditions by shotgun metagenomics, using both diversity and functional analyses of Community Ecology and Complex Networks approach. Our study revealed that the long-term exposure to space/Mars-like conditions on low Earth orbit may disorganize the KMC to such extent that it will not restore the initial community structure; however, KMC core microorganisms of the community were maintained. Nonetheless, there were no significant differences in the community functions, meaning that the KMC communities are ecologically resilient. Therefore, despite the extremely harsh conditions, key KMC species revived and provided the community with the genetic background needed to survive long periods of time under extraterrestrial conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristóteles Góes-Neto
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Olga Kukharenko
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Acad. Zabolotnoho str., 150, Kyiv, 03680, Ukraine
| | - Iryna Orlovska
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Acad. Zabolotnoho str., 150, Kyiv, 03680, Ukraine
| | - Olga Podolich
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Acad. Zabolotnoho str., 150, Kyiv, 03680, Ukraine
| | - Madangchanok Imchen
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Padannakkad P.O., Kasaragod, Kerala, 671320, India
| | - Ranjith Kumavath
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Padannakkad P.O., Kasaragod, Kerala, 671320, India
| | - Rodrigo Bentes Kato
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Daniel Santana de Carvalho
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bertram Brenig
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Burckhardtweg, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Padannakkad P.O., Kasaragod, Kerala, 671320, India
| | - Oleg Reva
- Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Natalia Kozyrovska
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Acad. Zabolotnoho str., 150, Kyiv, 03680, Ukraine
| | - Debmalya Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
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38
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Morrison MD, Nicholson WL. Comparisons of Transcriptome Profiles from Bacillus subtilis Cells Grown in Space versus High Aspect Ratio Vessel (HARV) Clinostats Reveal a Low Degree of Concordance. ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:1498-1509. [PMID: 33074712 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Although clinostats have long been used in space microbiology studies as ground-based analogs of spaceflight, few studies to date have systematically compared -omics data from clinostats versus spaceflight. This study compared the transcriptomic response of the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis flown in space with corresponding transcriptomes derived from 2-D clinostat (High Aspect Ratio Vessel: HARV) experiments performed under the same conditions of bacterial strain, growth medium, temperature, and incubation time. High-quality total RNA (RNA Integrity Number >9.6) was isolated from multiple biological replicates from each treatment, transcripts were quantified by RNA-seq, and raw data was processed through a previously described standardized bioinformatics pipeline. Transcriptome data sets from spaceflight-grown and corresponding clinostat-grown cells were compared by using three different methods: (i) principal component analysis, (ii) analysis of differentially expressed genes, and (iii) gene set enrichment analysis of KEGG pathways. All three analyses found a low degree of concordance between the spaceflight and corresponding clinostat transcriptome data sets, ranging from 0.9% to 5.3% concordance. These results are in agreement with prior studies that also revealed low concordances between spaceflight and clinostat transcriptomes of the Gram-negative bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results are discussed from the perspective of several potential confounding factors, and suggestions are offered with the aim of achieving increased concordance between clinostat and spaceflight data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Morrison
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Merritt Island, Florida, USA
| | - Wayne L Nicholson
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Merritt Island, Florida, USA
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39
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Cockell CS, Santomartino R, Finster K, Waajen AC, Eades LJ, Moeller R, Rettberg P, Fuchs FM, Van Houdt R, Leys N, Coninx I, Hatton J, Parmitano L, Krause J, Koehler A, Caplin N, Zuijderduijn L, Mariani A, Pellari SS, Carubia F, Luciani G, Balsamo M, Zolesi V, Nicholson N, Loudon CM, Doswald-Winkler J, Herová M, Rattenbacher B, Wadsworth J, Craig Everroad R, Demets R. Space station biomining experiment demonstrates rare earth element extraction in microgravity and Mars gravity. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5523. [PMID: 33173035 PMCID: PMC7656455 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19276-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms are employed to mine economically important elements from rocks, including the rare earth elements (REEs), used in electronic industries and alloy production. We carried out a mining experiment on the International Space Station to test hypotheses on the bioleaching of REEs from basaltic rock in microgravity and simulated Mars and Earth gravities using three microorganisms and a purposely designed biomining reactor. Sphingomonas desiccabilis enhanced mean leached concentrations of REEs compared to non-biological controls in all gravity conditions. No significant difference in final yields was observed between gravity conditions, showing the efficacy of the process under different gravity regimens. Bacillus subtilis exhibited a reduction in bioleaching efficacy and Cupriavidus metallidurans showed no difference compared to non-biological controls, showing the microbial specificity of the process, as on Earth. These data demonstrate the potential for space biomining and the principles of a reactor to advance human industry and mining beyond Earth. Rare earth elements are used in electronics, but increase in demand could lead to low supply. Here the authors conduct experiments on the International Space Station and show microbes can extract rare elements from rocks at low gravity, a finding that could extend mining potential to other planets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S Cockell
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Rosa Santomartino
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kai Finster
- Department of Bioscience-Microbiology, Ny Munkegade 116, Building 1540, 129, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Annemiek C Waajen
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lorna J Eades
- School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Linder Hoehe, Köln, Germany
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Linder Hoehe, Köln, Germany
| | - Felix M Fuchs
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Linder Hoehe, Köln, Germany.,Institute of Electrical Engineering and Plasma Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Sciences, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Rob Van Houdt
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | - Ilse Coninx
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | - Jason Hatton
- ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ, Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | | | - Jutta Krause
- ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ, Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | | | - Nicol Caplin
- ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ, Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Fabrizio Carubia
- Kayser Italia S.r.l., Via di Popogna, 501, 57128, Livorno, Italy
| | - Giacomo Luciani
- Kayser Italia S.r.l., Via di Popogna, 501, 57128, Livorno, Italy
| | - Michele Balsamo
- Kayser Italia S.r.l., Via di Popogna, 501, 57128, Livorno, Italy
| | - Valfredo Zolesi
- Kayser Italia S.r.l., Via di Popogna, 501, 57128, Livorno, Italy
| | - Natasha Nicholson
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Claire-Marie Loudon
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jeannine Doswald-Winkler
- BIOTESC, Hochschule Luzern Technik & Architektur, Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Obermattweg 9, 6052, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | - Magdalena Herová
- BIOTESC, Hochschule Luzern Technik & Architektur, Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Obermattweg 9, 6052, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Rattenbacher
- BIOTESC, Hochschule Luzern Technik & Architektur, Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Obermattweg 9, 6052, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | | | - R Craig Everroad
- Exobiology Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA
| | - René Demets
- ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ, Noordwijk, Netherlands
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40
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Santomartino R, Waajen AC, de Wit W, Nicholson N, Parmitano L, Loudon CM, Moeller R, Rettberg P, Fuchs FM, Van Houdt R, Finster K, Coninx I, Krause J, Koehler A, Caplin N, Zuijderduijn L, Zolesi V, Balsamo M, Mariani A, Pellari SS, Carubia F, Luciani G, Leys N, Doswald-Winkler J, Herová M, Wadsworth J, Everroad RC, Rattenbacher B, Demets R, Cockell CS. No Effect of Microgravity and Simulated Mars Gravity on Final Bacterial Cell Concentrations on the International Space Station: Applications to Space Bioproduction. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:579156. [PMID: 33154740 PMCID: PMC7591705 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.579156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms perform countless tasks on Earth and they are expected to be essential for human space exploration. Despite the interest in the responses of bacteria to space conditions, the findings on the effects of microgravity have been contradictory, while the effects of Martian gravity are nearly unknown. We performed the ESA BioRock experiment on the International Space Station to study microbe-mineral interactions in microgravity, simulated Mars gravity and simulated Earth gravity, as well as in ground gravity controls, with three bacterial species: Sphingomonas desiccabilis, Bacillus subtilis, and Cupriavidus metallidurans. To our knowledge, this was the first experiment to study simulated Martian gravity on bacteria using a space platform. Here, we tested the hypothesis that different gravity regimens can influence the final cell concentrations achieved after a multi-week period in space. Despite the different sedimentation rates predicted, we found no significant differences in final cell counts and optical densities between the three gravity regimens on the ISS. This suggests that possible gravity-related effects on bacterial growth were overcome by the end of the experiment. The results indicate that microbial-supported bioproduction and life support systems can be effectively performed in space (e.g., Mars), as on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Santomartino
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Annemiek C Waajen
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Wessel de Wit
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Nicholson
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Parmitano
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Claire-Marie Loudon
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne (Köln), Germany
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne (Köln), Germany
| | - Felix M Fuchs
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne (Köln), Germany
| | - Rob Van Houdt
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | - Kai Finster
- Department of Biology - Microbiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Ilse Coninx
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | - Jutta Krause
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Andrea Koehler
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Nicol Caplin
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Lobke Zuijderduijn
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Natalie Leys
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Magdalena Herová
- BIOTESC, Hochschule Luzern Technik und Architektur, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Wadsworth
- Exobiology Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, CA, United States
| | - R Craig Everroad
- Exobiology Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, CA, United States
| | - Bernd Rattenbacher
- BIOTESC, Hochschule Luzern Technik und Architektur, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | - René Demets
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Charles S Cockell
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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41
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Molecular impact of launch related dynamic vibrations and static hypergravity in planarians. NPJ Microgravity 2020; 6:25. [PMID: 32964111 PMCID: PMC7478964 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-020-00115-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although many examples of simulated and real microgravity demonstrating their profound effect on biological systems are described in literature, few reports deal with hypergravity and vibration effects, the levels of which are severely increased during the launch preceding the desired microgravity period. Here, we used planarians, flatworms that can regenerate any body part in a few days. Planarians are an ideal model to study the impact of launch-related hypergravity and vibration during a regenerative process in a "whole animal" context. Therefore, planarians were subjected to 8.5 minutes of 4 g hypergravity (i.e. a human-rated launch level) in the Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC) and/or to vibrations (20-2000 Hz, 11.3 G rms) simulating the conditions of a standard rocket launch. The transcriptional levels of genes (erg-1, runt-1, fos, jnk, and yki) related with the early stress response were quantified through qPCR. The results show that early response genes are severely deregulated after static and dynamic loads but more so after a combined exposure of dynamic (vibration) and static (hypergravity) loads, more closely simulating real launch exposure profiles. Importantly, at least four days after the exposure, the transcriptional levels of those genes are still deregulated. Our results highlight the deep impact that short exposures to hypergravity and vibration have in organisms, and thus the implications that space flight launch could have. These phenomena should be taken into account when planning for well-controlled microgravity studies.
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Yin M, Ye B, Jin Y, Liu L, Zhang Y, Li P, Wang Y, Li Y, Han Y, Shen W, Zhao Z. Changes in Vibrio natriegens Growth Under Simulated Microgravity. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2040. [PMID: 32983034 PMCID: PMC7483581 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The growth rate of bacteria increases under simulated microgravity (SMG) with low-shear force. The next-generation microbial chassis Vibrio natriegens (V. natriegens) is a fast-growing Gram-negative, non-pathogenic bacterium with a generation time of less than 10 min. Screening of a V. natriegens strain with faster growth rate was attempted by 2-week continuous long-term culturing under SMG. However, the rapid growth rate of this strain made it difficult to obtain the desired mutant strain with even more rapid growth. Thus, a mutant with slower growth rate emerged. Multi-omics integration analysis was conducted to explore why this mutant grew more slowly, which might inform us about the molecular mechanisms of rapid growth of V. natriegens instead. The transcriptome data revealed that whereas genes related to mechanical signal transduction and flagellin biogenesis were up-regulated, those involved in adaptive responses, anaerobic and nitrogen metabolism, chromosome segregation and cell vitality were down-regulated. Moreover, genome-wide chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) results of the slower growth mutant and wide type indicated that SMG-induced great changes of genome 3D organization were highly correlated with differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Meanwhile, whole genome re-sequencing found a significant number of structure variations (SVs) were enriched in regions with lower interaction frequency and down-regulated genes in the slower growth mutant compared with wild type (WT), which might represent a prophage region. Additionally, there was also a decreased interaction frequency in regions associated with well-orchestrated chromosomes replication. These results suggested that SMG might regulate local gene expression by sensing stress changes through conformation changes in the genome region of genes involved in flagellin, adaptability and chromosome segregation, thus followed by alteration of some physiological characteristics and affecting the growth rate and metabolic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Yin
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Bingyu Ye
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China.,College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yifei Jin
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Wuhan Frasergen Bioinformatics Co., Ltd., Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Li
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yahao Wang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen & Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yanping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen & Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Wenlong Shen
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihu Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
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43
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Siddiqui R, Akbar N, Khan NA. Gut microbiome and human health under the space environment. J Appl Microbiol 2020; 130:14-24. [PMID: 32692438 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The gut microbiome is well recognized to have a pivotal role in regulation of the health and behaviour of the host, affecting digestion, metabolism, immunity, and has been linked to changes in bones, muscles and the brain, to name a few. However, the impact of microgravity environment on gut bacteria is not well understood. In space environments, astronauts face several health issues including stress, high iron diet, radiation and being in a closed system during extended space missions. Herein, we discuss the role of gut bacteria in the space environment, in relation to factors such as microgravity, radiation and diet. Gut bacteria may exact their effects by synthesis of molecules, their absorption, and through physiological effects on the host. Moreover we deliberate the role of these challenges in the dysbiosis of the human microbiota and possible dysregulation of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Siddiqui
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - N Akbar
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - N A Khan
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Podolich O, Kukharenko O, Zaets I, Orlovska I, Palchykovska L, Zaika L, Sysoliatin S, Zubova G, Reva O, Galkin M, Horid'ko T, Kosiakova H, Borisova T, Kravchenko V, Skoryk M, Kremenskoy M, Ghosh P, Barh D, Góes-Neto A, Azevedo V, de Vera JP, Kozyrovska N. Fitness of Outer Membrane Vesicles From Komagataeibacter intermedius Is Altered Under the Impact of Simulated Mars-like Stressors Outside the International Space Station. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1268. [PMID: 32676055 PMCID: PMC7333525 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), produced by nonpathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, have potentially useful biotechnological applications in extraterrestrial extreme environments. However, their biological effects under the impact of various stressors have to be elucidated for safety reasons. In the spaceflight experiment, model biofilm kombucha microbial community (KMC) samples, in which Komagataeibacter intermedius was a dominant community-member, were exposed under simulated Martian factors (i.e., pressure, atmosphere, and UV-illumination) outside the International Space Station (ISS) for 1.5 years. In this study, we have determined that OMVs from post-flight K. intermedius displayed changes in membrane composition, depending on the location of the samples and some other factors. Membrane lipids such as sterols, fatty acids (FAs), and phospholipids (PLs) were modulated under the Mars-like stressors, and saturated FAs, as well as both short-chain saturated and trans FAs, appeared in the membranes of OMVs shed by both post-UV-illuminated and “dark” bacteria. The relative content of zwitterionic and anionic PLs changed, producing a change in surface properties of outer membranes, thereby resulting in a loss of interaction capability with polynucleotides. The changed composition of membranes promoted a bigger OMV size, which correlated with changes of OMV fitness. Biochemical characterization of the membrane-associated enzymes revealed an increase in their activity (DNAse, dehydrogenase) compared to wild type. Other functional membrane-associated capabilities of OMVs (e.g., proton accumulation, interaction with linear DNA, or synaptosomes) were also altered after exposure to the spaceflight stressors. Despite alterations in membranes, vesicles did not acquire endotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and neurotoxicity. Altogether, our results show that OMVs, originating from rationally selected nonpathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, can be considered as candidates in the design of postbiotics or edible mucosal vaccines for in situ production in extreme environment. Furthermore, these OMVs could also be used as promising delivery vectors for applications in Astromedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Podolich
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olga Kukharenko
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Iryna Zaets
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Iryna Orlovska
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Leonid Zaika
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Ganna Zubova
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Oleg Reva
- Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Maxym Galkin
- Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | | | | | | | - Mykola Skoryk
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | | | - Preetam Ghosh
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Debmalya Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Purba Medinipur, India
| | - Aristóteles Góes-Neto
- Molecular and Computational Biology of Fungi Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics, Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Poughon L, Laroche C, Creuly C, Dussap CG, Paille C, Lasseur C, Monsieurs P, Heylen W, Coninx I, Mastroleo F, Leys N. Limnospira indica PCC8005 growth in photobioreactor: model and simulation of the ISS and ground experiments. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2020; 25:53-65. [PMID: 32414493 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2020.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Arthrospira-B experiment is the first experiment in space ever allowing the online measurements of both oxygen production rate and growth rate of Limnospira indica PCC8005 in batch photobioreactors running on-board ISS. Four bioreactors were integrated in the ISS Biolab facility. Each reactor was composed of two chambers (gas and liquid) separated by a PTFE membrane and was run in batch conditions. Oxygen production was monitored by online measurement of the total pressure increase in the gas chamber. The experiments are composed of several successive batch cultures for each reactor, performed in parallel on ISS and on ground. In this work, a model for the growth of the cyanobacterium Limnospira indica PCC8005 (also known as Arthrospira or spirulina) in these space membrane photobioreactors was proposed and the simulation results obtained are compared to the experimental results gathered in space and on ground. The photobioreactor model was based on a light transfer limitation model, already used to describe and predict the growth and oxygen production in small to large scale ground photobioreactors. It was completed by a model for pH prediction in the liquid phase allowing assessment of the pH increase associated to the bicarbonate consumption for the biomass growth. A membrane gas-liquid transfer model is used to predict the gas pressure increase in the gas chamber. Substrate limitation is considered in the biological model. A quite satisfactory fit was achieved between experimental and simulation results when a suitable mixing of the liquid phase was maintained. The data showed that microgravity has no first order effect on the oxygen production rate of Limnospira indica PCC8005 in a photobioreactor operating in space in zero gravity conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Poughon
- Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Institut Pascal, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Céline Laroche
- Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Institut Pascal, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Catherine Creuly
- Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Institut Pascal, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Claude-Gilles Dussap
- Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Institut Pascal, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | | | - Pieter Monsieurs
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences group, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK•CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Wietse Heylen
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences group, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK•CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Ilse Coninx
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences group, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK•CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Felice Mastroleo
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences group, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK•CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences group, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK•CEN), Mol, Belgium
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46
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Gilbert R, Torres M, Clemens R, Hateley S, Hosamani R, Wade W, Bhattacharya S. Spaceflight and simulated microgravity conditions increase virulence of Serratia marcescens in the Drosophila melanogaster infection model. NPJ Microgravity 2020; 6:4. [PMID: 32047838 PMCID: PMC7000411 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-019-0091-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
While it has been shown that astronauts suffer immune disorders after spaceflight, the underlying causes are still poorly understood and there are many variables to consider when investigating the immune system in a complex environment. Additionally, there is growing evidence that suggests that not only is the immune system being altered, but the pathogens that infect the host are significantly influenced by spaceflight and ground-based spaceflight conditions. In this study, we demonstrate that Serratia marcescens (strain Db11) was significantly more lethal to Drosophila melanogaster after growth on the International Space Station than ground-based controls, but the increased virulence phenotype of S. marcescens did not persist after the bacterial cultures were passaged on the ground. Increased virulence was also observed in bacteria that were grown in simulated microgravity conditions on the ground using the rotating wall vessel. Increased virulence of the space-flown bacteria was similar in magnitude between wild-type flies and those that were mutants for the well-characterized immune pathways Imd and Toll, suggesting that changes to the host immune system after infection are likely not a major factor contributing towards increased susceptibility of ground-reared flies infected with space-flown bacteria. Characterization of the bacteria shows that at later timepoints spaceflight bacteria grew at a greater rate than ground controls in vitro, and in the host. These results suggest complex physiological changes occurring in pathogenic bacteria in space environments, and there may be novel mechanisms mediating these physiological effects that need to be characterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Gilbert
- NASA Postdoctoral Program, Universities Space Research Association, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA USA
| | - Medaya Torres
- 2FILMSS/Bionetics, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA USA
| | - Rachel Clemens
- 2FILMSS/Bionetics, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA USA
| | - Shannon Hateley
- 3Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Ravikumar Hosamani
- NASA Postdoctoral Program, Universities Space Research Association, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA USA
| | - William Wade
- 2FILMSS/Bionetics, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA USA
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Senatore G, Mastroleo F, Leys N, Mauriello G. Growth of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM17938 Under Two Simulated Microgravity Systems: Changes in Reuterin Production, Gastrointestinal Passage Resistance, and Stress Genes Expression Response. ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:1-14. [PMID: 31977256 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Extreme factors such as space microgravity, radiation, and magnetic field differ from those that occur on Earth. Microgravity may induce and select some microorganisms for physiological, metabolic, and/or genetic variations. This study was conducted to determine the effects of simulated microgravity conditions on the metabolism and gene expression of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri DSM17938. To investigate microbial response to simulated microgravity, two devices-the rotating wall vessel (RWV) and the random positioning machine (RPM)-were used. Microbial growth, reuterin production, and resistance to gastrointestinal passage were assessed, and morphological characteristics were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The expression of some selected genes that are responsive to stress conditions and to bile salts stress was evaluated through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. Monitoring of bacterial growth, cell size, and shape under simulated microgravity did not reveal differences compared with 1 × g controls. On the contrary, an enhanced production of reuterin and a greater tolerance to the gastrointestinal passage were observed. Moreover, some stress genes were upregulated under RWV conditions, especially after 24 h of treatment, whereas RPM conditions seemed to determine a downregulation over time of the same stress genes. These results show that simulated microgravity could alter some physiological characteristics of L. reuteri DSM17938 with regard to tolerance toward stress conditions encountered on space missions and could be useful to elucidate the adaptation mechanisms of microbes to the space environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Senatore
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Felice Mastroleo
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK●CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK●CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Gianluigi Mauriello
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
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48
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Kiss JZ, Wolverton C, Wyatt SE, Hasenstein KH, van Loon JJ. Comparison of Microgravity Analogs to Spaceflight in Studies of Plant Growth and Development. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1577. [PMID: 31867033 PMCID: PMC6908503 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Life on Earth has evolved under the influence of gravity. This force has played an important role in shaping development and morphology from the molecular level to the whole organism. Although aquatic life experiences reduced gravity effects, land plants have evolved under a 1-g environment. Understanding gravitational effects requires changing the magnitude of this force. One method of eliminating gravity''s influence is to enter into a free-fall orbit around the planet, thereby achieving a balance between centripetal force of gravity and the centrifugal force of the moving object. This balance is often mistakenly referred to as microgravity, but is best described as weightlessness. In addition to actually compensating gravity, instruments such as clinostats, random-positioning machines (RPM), and magnetic levitation devices have been used to eliminate effects of constant gravity on plant growth and development. However, these platforms do not reduce gravity but constantly change its direction. Despite these fundamental differences, there are few studies that have investigated the comparability between these platforms and weightlessness. Here, we provide a review of the strengths and weaknesses of these analogs for the study of plant growth and development compared to spaceflight experiments. We also consider reduced or partial gravity effects via spaceflight and analog methods. While these analogs are useful, the fidelity of the results relative to spaceflight depends on biological parameters and environmental conditions that cannot be simulated in ground-based studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Z. Kiss
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina—Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
| | - Chris Wolverton
- Department of Botany & Microbiology, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH, United States
| | - Sarah E. Wyatt
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Department of Environmental & Plant Biology, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Karl H. Hasenstein
- Biology Department, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, United States
| | - Jack J.W.A. van Loon
- DESC (Dutch Experiment Support Center), Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), VU-University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- European Space Agency (ESA) Technology Center (ESTEC), Life & Physical Science, Instrumentation and Life Support Laboratory, TEC-MMG, Noordwijk, Netherlands
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Garschagen LS, Mancinelli RL, Moeller R. Introducing Vibrio natriegens as a Microbial Model Organism for Microgravity Research. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:1211-1220. [PMID: 31486680 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microbial contamination of human-tended spacecraft is unavoidable, making the study of microbial growth under space conditions essential for the preservation of astronauts' health and equipment integrity. Previous studies suggested that spaceflight conditions, such as microgravity, cause a range of physiological microbial alterations including increased growth yields and decreased antibiotic susceptibility. Because of its fast generation time, Vibrio natriegens could be used as a model organism for a variety of studies where generation time is a critical factor. In this study, V. natriegens was used as a tool to study growth characteristics by determining the viable cell number and antibiotic susceptibility under simulated microgravity using a 2-D clinostat (60 rpm) to establish a test system that resolves changes in microbial growth on a solid surface (agar) under microgravity. The data show that V. natriegens biomass increases significantly after 24 h at 37°C under simulated microgravity. The final cell population after cultivation under simulated microgravity was 60-fold greater than when cultivated under normal terrestrial gravity (1 × g). No change in susceptibility to the antibiotic rifampicin after cultivation under simulated microgravity or normal gravity was detected. These data show that V. natriegens is a new and innovative model organism for microbial microgravity research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S Garschagen
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Space Microbiology Research Group, Cologne (Köln), Germany
- University of Bonn, Institute for Microbiology and Biotechnology (IfMB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Rocco L Mancinelli
- NASA Ames Research Center, Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | - Ralf Moeller
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Space Microbiology Research Group, Cologne (Köln), Germany
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50
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Clinostat Rotation Affects Metabolite Transportation and Increases Organic Acid Production by Aspergillus carbonarius, as Revealed by Differential Metabolomic Analysis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.01023-19. [PMID: 31300399 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01023-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Contamination by fungi may pose a threat to the long-term operation of the International Space Station because fungi produce organic acids that corrode equipment and mycotoxins that harm human health. Microgravity is an unavoidable and special condition in the space station. However, the influence of microgravity on fungal metabolism has not been well studied. Clinostat rotation is widely used to simulate the microgravity condition in studies carried out on Earth. Here, we used metabolomics differential analysis to study the influence of clinostat rotation on the accumulation of organic acids and related biosynthetic pathways in ochratoxin A (OTA)-producing Aspergillus carbonarius As a result, clinostat rotation did not affect fungal cell growth or colony appearance but significantly increased the accumulation of organic acids, particularly isocitric acid, citric acid, and oxalic acid, and OTA both inside cells and in the medium, as well as resulted in a much higher level of accumulation of some products inside than outside cells, indicating that the transport of these metabolites from the cell to the medium was inhibited. This finding corresponded to the change in the fatty acid composition of cell membranes and the reduced thickness of the cell walls and cell membranes. Amino acid and energy metabolic pathways, particularly the tricarboxylic acid cycle, were influenced the most during clinostat rotation compared to the effects of normal gravity on these pathways.IMPORTANCE Fungi are ubiquitous in nature and have the ability to corrode various materials by producing metabolites. Research on how the space station environment, especially microgravity, affects fungal metabolism is helpful to understand the role of fungi in the space station. This work provides insights into the mechanisms involved in the metabolism of the corrosive fungus Aspergillus carbonarius under simulated microgravity conditions. Our findings have significance not only for preventing material corrosion but also for ensuring food safety, especially in the space environment.
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