scholarly journals Exogenous pigments shield microorganisms from spaceflight-induced changes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunanda Sharma ◽  
Rachel Soo Hoo Smith ◽  
Nicolas A Lee ◽  
Sara Laura Wilson ◽  
Miana M Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Carotenoid Pigments ◽  
Liquid Cultures ◽  
International Space ◽  
Induced Stress ◽  
Solid Media ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Distinct Morphology ◽  
Morphology Changes

Research has indicated that pigments commonly produced by microorganisms may be protective against the environmental stresses inherent to spaceflight. However, few studies have directly tested the protective capabilities of microbial pigments applied externally as shielding materials. In this study, liquid cultures of Bacillus subtilis were shielded by various pigment solutions, and solid media cultures of Bacillus subtilis were co-inoculated with the highly pigmented microorganisms Aspergillus niger and Neurospora crassa. These experiments were conducted in a compact, automated payload aboard the International Space Station (ISS) interior for 30 days. Post-flight phenotypic analyses of liquid cultures showed that solutions of carotenoid pigments were effective at minimizing detrimental effects of spaceflight. Elevated growth rate was observed for solid cultures, and distinct morphology changes were identified in both liquid and solid samples and quantified as markers of spaceflight-induced stress. These findings collectively progress our understanding of microbial pigments for the development of space-related applications.

scholarly journals Space station biomining experiment demonstrates rare earth element extraction in microgravity and Mars gravity

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles S. Cockell ◽  
Rosa Santomartino ◽  
Kai Finster ◽  
Annemiek C. Waajen ◽  
Lorna J. Eades ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Earth Element ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Basaltic Rock ◽  
International Space ◽  
Cupriavidus Metallidurans ◽  
Significant Difference

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.

scholarly journals Microbially-Enhanced Vanadium Mining and Bioremediation Under Micro- and Mars Gravity on the International Space Station

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles S. Cockell ◽  
Rosa Santomartino ◽  
Kai Finster ◽  
Annemiek C. Waajen ◽  
Natasha Nicholson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Solar System ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
High Strength ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Human Settlements ◽  
Corrosion Resistant ◽  
International Space ◽  
Solar System Objects

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.

scholarly journals Design and Validation of a Device for Mitigating Fluid Microgravity Effects in Biological Research in Canister Spaceflight Hardware

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne L. Nicholson ◽  
Patricia Fajardo-Cavazos ◽  
Caleb Turner ◽  
Taylor M. Currie ◽  
Geoffrey Gregory ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Petri Dish ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Ground Control ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Transcriptomic Response ◽  
Liquid Cultures ◽  
Control Samples

The major factor influencing the behavior of microbes growing in liquids in space is microgravity. We recently measured the transcriptomic response of the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis to the microgravity environment inside the International Space Station (ISS) in spaceflight hardware called Biological Research in Canisters-Petri Dish Fixation Units (BRIC-PDFUs). In two separate experiments in the ISS, dubbed BRIC-21 and BRIC-23, we grew multiple replicates of the same B. subtilis strain in the same hardware, growth medium, and temperature with matching ground control samples (npj Micrograv. 5:1.2019, doi: 10.1038/s41526-018-0061-0). In both experiments we observed similar responses of the transcriptome to spaceflight. However, we also noted that the liquid cultures assumed a different configuration in microgravity (a toroidal shape) compared with the ground control samples (a flat disc shape), leading us to question whether the transcriptome differences we observed were a direct result of microgravity, or a secondary result of the different liquid geometries of the samples affecting, for example, oxygen availability. To mitigate the influence of microgravity on liquid geometry in BRIC canisters, we have designed an insert to replace the standard 60-mm Petri dish in BRIC-PDFU or BRIC-LED sample compartments. In this design, liquid cultures are expected to assume a more disk-like configuration regardless of gravity or its absence. We have: (i) constructed a prototype device by 3D printing; (ii) evaluated different starting materials, treatments, and coatings for their wettability (i.e., hydrophilicity) using contact angle measurements; (iii) confirmed that the device performs as designed by drop-tower testing and; (iv) performed material biocompatibility studies using liquid cultures of Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Future microgravity testing of the device in the ISS is planned.

Human factors assessment of International Space Station (ISS) medical equipment packs

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Paige Smith ◽  
Vicky E. Byrne ◽  
Cynthia Hudy ◽  
Mihriban Whitmore
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Medical Equipment ◽  
Space Station ◽  
International Space

Dose Tracker Application for Collecting Medication Use Data from International Space Station Crew

2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia. E. Wotring ◽  
LaRona K. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
International Space ◽  
Flight Data ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Share Data ◽  
Usability Feedback

INTRODUCTION: There are knowledge gaps in spaceflight pharmacology with insufficient in-flight data to inform future planning. This effort directly addressed in-mission medication use and also informed open questions regarding spaceflight-associated changes in pharmacokinetics (PK) and/or pharmacodynamics (PD).METHODS: An iOS application was designed to collect medication use information relevant for research from volunteer astronaut crewmembers: medication name, dose, dosing frequency, indication, perceived efficacy, and side effects. Leveraging the limited medication choices aboard allowed a streamlined questionnaire. There were 24 subjects approved for participation.RESULTS: Six crewmembers completed flight data collection and five completed ground data collection before NASA’s early study discontinuation. There were 5766 medication use entries, averaging 20.6 ± 8.4 entries per subject per flight week. Types of medications and their indications were similar to previous reports, with sleep disturbances and muscle/joint pain as primary drivers. Two subjects treated prolonged skin problems. Subjects also used the application in unanticipated ways: to note drug tolerance testing or medication holiday per research protocols, and to share data with flight surgeons. Subjects also provided usability feedback on application design and implementation.DISCUSSION: The volume of data collected (20.6 ± 8.4 entries per subject per flight week) is much greater than was collected previously (<12 per person per entire mission), despite user criticisms regarding app usability. It seems likely that improvements in a software-based questionnaire application could result in a robust data collection tool that astronauts find more acceptable, while simultaneously providing researchers and clinicians with useful data.Wotring VE, Smith LK. Dose tracker application for collecting medication use data from International Space Station crew. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(1):41–45.

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